Professional Standards for Teachers (PST)
Education Queensland's (EQ) Professional Standards for Teachers were developed as part of the Queensland State Education - 2010 strategy and the Education and Training Reforms for the Future.
The Standards define the knowledge, skills and abilities to apply to all teachers in state education in Queensland, celebrating, articulating and supporting the complex and varied nature of a teacher's work. They describe what teachers need to know and do to provide relevant and worthwhile learning experiences for individuals and groups of students in Queensland state schools, and so equip young people for the future to enable them to contribute to a socially, economically and culturally vibrant society. As such, the Standards:
EQ collaboratively developed the Standards with its teachers, the Queensland Teachers' Union (QTU) and key stakeholders. A joint statement from EQ and the QTU (new window) 149k 
endorses the commitment of both bodies to promoting the use of the Standards 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.
New Resources
Education Queensland and Queensland College of Teachers Professional Standards. (new window) 175k
The release of the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers in January has raised questions about the purposes and uses of both the College standards and Education Queensland 's Professional Standards for Teachers (PST).
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.
A new document has been developed that describes the similarities and differences between the two standards frameworks and their purpose in supporting state school teachers as they reflect on their practice and identify continuing professional development needs throughout their career.
Introducing the Professional Standards for Teachers at your school
Two new programs and complementing PowerPoint slides have been developed for school leaders to introduce the Professional Standards for Teachers to staff. One workshop has been designed for a staff meeting and the other workshop is for a student free day and allows for deeper engagement with the standards.
Introducing the Professional Standards for Teachers at a staff meeting
Program (new window) 82k : 30-45 minutes
PowerPoint (new window) 1.3M 
: 30-45 minutes
Introducing the Professional Standards for Teachers at a student free day
Program (new window) 110k : 90-120 minutes
PowerPoint (new window) 1.3M : 90-120 minutes
Professional Standards for Teachers as an 'umbrella'
Teachers have strongly expressed their appreciation for the Standards as an 'umbrella' to align and understand the range of systemic imperatives that they need to integrate into their practice.
Teachers and school leaders should recognise that engaging with the documents below is best facilitated through collaborate and reflective practice within professional learning communities.
Professional Standards for Teachers and the Early Years Curriculum Guidelines (new window) 183k 
Professional Standards for Teachers and the Productive Pedagogies (new window) 47k
Revised Standards
The Standards were trialled with a Pilot of 230 teachers in 2002 and endorsed for use by teachers in Queensland state schools in 2003. Maintaining the accuracy, relevance and currency of the definition of teachers' work captured in the PST is a priority. Education Queensland has established a reference group of practising teacher to undertake analysis and recommendations re content revisions on a cyclical basis. Their work has culminated in the revised edition of the Professional Standards for Teachers (new window) 520k which was launched October 2005.
Considerable focus has been devoted to skilling teachers to lead their peers in professional development programs using the standards and many districts applied Australian Government Quality Teacher Program funds to this facilitator training. Professional development opportunities will be available in Term 4, 2005 and Terms 1 and 2, 2006 to support teachers and administrators to build a better understanding of the Standards and their use. Information in the first instance can be accessed via key contact officers (new window) 41k for districts. We encourage teacher groups, school communities, and clusters to embed the Standards to underpin projects, through consideration of the following facets of the Expression of Interest form in consultation with Meredene Hill.
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Related documents:
The Professional Standards for Teachers: Guidelines for Professional Practice (July, 2005) (new window) 520k
Joint Statement - Education Queensland and Queensland Teachers' Union (new window) 149k
Introductory Brochure Practice (new window) 197k
From personal reflection to professional community: Education Queensland, Professional Standards for Teachers Evaluation of the 2002 Pilot (new window) 390k
Pilot 2002 Fact Sheet (new window) 466k
Scoping Paper (new window) 223k
Outlines the background and extensive research and consultation undertaken and details the endorsed model and format for the Professional Standards used to inform the writing of the draft Professional Standards.
Report on Consultations (new window) 60k
Appendices (new window) 83k 
A detailed summary of findings from the mailout and face-to-face consultation process conducted following the statewide distribution of the draft in October/November 1999.
No results from phone include!
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