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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Professional Standards for Teachers (PST)?
The Standards describe what teachers need to know and do to provide relevant and worthwhile learning experiences for all students in Queensland state schools. They provide an appropriate framework for collaborative performance development with colleagues and a key reference point for the induction and mentoring of teachers.

What is the difference between the EQ Standards and the QCT Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers?
The QCT Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers represents the minimum benchmark or entry level into the profession and describe provisional registration requirements.

In contrast, Education Queensland's Professional Standards for Teachers is an aspirational framework which can be used by teachers to formulate goals and extend their own learning in order to strengthen classroom practice.

How does the PST link with the Developing Performance Framework?
Within the four-phase developing performance process [DPF model] the Professional Standards for Teachers serves to empower teachers and school leaders with a reflective platform from which teachers can identify and extend their own development in order to strengthen classroom practice.

How does the PST link with Continuing Professional Development and QCT's renewal of registration requirements?
It is anticipated that permanent teachers in state schools will use the EQ's standards to inform renewal of registration requirements. Embedding the PST framework in both whole-of-school and individual planning of professional development will support this process. The QCT renewal of teacher registration requirements commence in 2010.

How can I use the PST to mentor and support [beginning] teachers?
In conjunction with the Flying Start Induction Toolkit, induction and mentoring programs can be developed using the Standards as an organiser. Teachers who mentor and support beginning teachers can use the Standards to:

reflect on, talk about and review teaching practice
formulate goals to strengthen practice
establish personal and team professional development plans, and
monitor and document the achievement of goals.

(Note: beginning teachers in their provisional year of registration should focus on the QCT Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers until they have gained full registration.)

Does the Queensland Teachers' Union support the Standards?
Education Queensland (EQ) collaboratively developed the Standards with EQ teachers, the Queensland Teachers' Union (QTU) and key stakeholders. EQ and the QTU are committed to promoting the use of the Professional Standards for Teachers framework to Queensland state school teachers as an effective tool for reflecting on and strengthening teaching practice and for planning personal and team professional development.

A Professional Standards EQ-QTU Taskforce determines the future direction of the PST Program.

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This page was last reviewed on 02 Aug 2010