Tests for new teachers to boost education outcomes
06 July 2009
Professor Geoff Masters (back right) sits in on a curriculum planning meeting at Rasmussen State School during his review of Queensland primary schooling in April.
Graduate teachers in Queensland will sit literacy, numeracy and science tests as part of changes introduced by the government to boost education outcomes in our schools.
The move is part of the State Government's response to a review of primary schooling in Queensland by Professor Geoff Masters from the Australian Council for Educational Research.
The changes will also include professional development for staff to improve literacy, numeracy and science teaching and learning and the introduction of a new program to develop and support school leaders.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the changes were part of the State Government's endorsement of the five recommendations contained in Professor Masters' final report.
'These recommendations are a roadmap to help us reach our goal of improving literacy, numeracy and science standards in Queensland,' Ms Bligh said.
'Under this plan all new primary teachers will need to show they can effectively teach these critical learning areas before they are registered.'
A trial will be conducted next year before the official introduction of testing for graduate primary school teachers at the end of 2011.
Current Queensland teachers will not have to sit the tests, but those transferring from interstate will have to pass the exam before they can teach in Queensland.
Tests for high school teaching graduates will be introduced at a later date.
Ms Bligh said the government would also work closely with universities to ensure students entering teaching courses were tested on their literacy, numeracy and science knowledge early in their training to identify any gaps in learning.
'These are major changes, and some will be controversial, but our Government is committed to taking any steps necessary to give Queensland students the best possible education.'
Education and Training Minister Geoff Wilson said recommendations two to five of the report had been funded in the recent State Budget.
'In the State Budget we committed to providing 80 literacy and numeracy coaches, 100 extra science teachers and 15 Science Sparks trainers,' Mr Wilson said.
'We will also establish the $3.6 million Queensland Education Leadership Institute to provide school leaders with the skills and training they need to help drive these major reforms.'
Mr Wilson said all state primary school teachers would also be required to undertake professional development in literacy, numeracy and science.
'We value our teachers and we know that students will benefit most from being taught by highly trained professionals with good skills in literacy, numeracy and science,' Mr Wilson said.
Mr Wilson said the Queensland Studies Authority would strengthen science assessment through the Queensland Comparable Assessment Tasks and provide teachers with extra examples of assessment items.
'This will give teachers more clarity around what students should be learning in primary science and how their work should be assessed.'
The State Government engaged Professor Masters to undertake the review after Queensland's poor results in the 2008 National Achievement Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) and 2007 Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS).
His final report, A Shared Challenge: Improving Literacy, Numeracy and Science Learning in Queensland Primary Schools, is available from the Department of Education and Training website.
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