Teaching Council report on the journey to creating an equitable future-focused ITE system
23 February 2022
Today the Teaching Council has published a digital report reflecting on the ITE journey since the ITE (Initial Teacher Education) Programme Approval, Monitoring and Review Requirements (ITE Requirements) were published in 2019.
What is it about?
ITE providers need to meet new requirements to receive approval from the Teaching Council, to deliver their programmes to student teachers. Named “Creating an equitable future-focused Initial Teacher Education (ITE) system – the new ITE Requirements – the journey so far,” the report outlines the reasons why, and the nature of the changes introduced. It describes where the Council is at two years after the new ITE Requirements were published, including emerging strengths, challenges, and the planned journey ahead.
Strengths include emerging innovative partnership arrangements between ITE providers and partners such as centres, schools | kura and iwi, and an increase in the duration and range of professional experience placements. Some of the challenges, as reflected in the conditions assigned by approval panels, include improving te reo Māori assessment, and improving the connection between ‘real-life’ problems-of-practice and student teacher assessments. The journey ahead includes reviewing the requirements related to programme monitoring and review and national moderation, and options for evaluating the impact of the new ITE Requirements changes at a system level.
Where are we at?
The Council is expecting 94 programmes to be approved under the new ITE Requirements by 27 ITE providers. All English medium programmes have been submitted, with a small number scheduled for approval panels in early 2022. The publication of Te Whare o Rongotuaira - Māori medium ITE Programme Approval, Monitoring and Review Requirements, in April 2021, means most Māori medium programmes will undergo the approval process during 2022. To date, very few new teachers have graduated from these programmes. While the new requirements set the direction for the journey, it will take time before we see an impact on the education system as a whole.
Has COVID impacted?
The Council acknowledges how hard it has been for the whole sector since the arrival of COVID-19 in Aotearoa | New Zealand, especially for student teachers and new teachers. We acknowledge and applaud the agility of ITE providers, centres and schools | kura to adapt, and to support student teachers in their training and graduation.
How ready are student teachers after they graduate?
The Council’s aim is that new teachers are ready to demonstrate core teaching skills when they start teaching. However, we believe it’s important to acknowledge new teachers are still on an ongoing journey to building skills and experience. The Council recognises the responsibility of schools | kura and centres for supporting new teachers during the two-year induction and mentoring programme―that they’re required to complete for their Tōmua | Provisional practising certificate.
Who will be interested?
The report will be of interest to those in the tertiary sector who deliver initial teaching education, those in the teaching profession wanting to understand the changes that are underway, and others wanting to know more about how the training delivered to student teachers is designed and delivered.
For any general queries, please email: libby.tregear@teachingcouncil.nz
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