Teachers, Teacher Education, and Professional Development
Teacher Education Specific to Reading
The teaching of reading and literacy is included in the initial teacher education programs available for primary school teachers across Australia. Providers determine the content of programs that will equip initial teacher education students with strategies to ensure they can address the specific learning needs of school students across a range of abilities.
In 2015, education ministers agreed to reforms to improve initial teacher education. State and territory teacher regulatory authorities currently accredit teacher training courses, and will continue to do so. However, the revised Accreditation of Initial Teacher Education Programs in Australia: Standards and Procedures (agreed to by education ministers in December 2015) commits states and territories to nationally consistent, strengthened accreditation of initial teacher education programs.10 The more rigorous standards will require universities to show how they will ensure that their teacher education students will develop the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in the classroom and meet the graduate level of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.11 One of the recent changes to teacher preparation is that every initial teacher education student undertaking a primary teaching program will be required to graduate with a subject specialization in areas of priority that may include the teaching of English and literacy. All initial teacher education students also are expected to meet the standard of a national literacy and numeracy test prior to graduation.
Requirements for Ongoing Professional Development in Reading for Teachers
Australian primary school teachers have no specific obligation to undertake ongoing professional development specific to teaching reading. However, state and territory teacher regulatory authorities have requirements regarding the nature and amount of professional learning that teachers must undertake in order to maintain registration.
Teachers have many opportunities for ongoing professional learning about teaching reading. One avenue is through postgraduate university courses that include units on reading or related areas, such as children’s literature. State education authorities provide many opportunities for professional learning about the teaching of reading, such as in projects of the National Partnerships: Literacy and Numeracy Program, and through access to online training modules and institutes of teaching and leadership. Teacher professional associations provide quality professional learning related to reading at conferences and other events.