Teachers, Teacher Education, and Professional Development
Teacher Education Specific to Reading
Primary school teacher education colleges provide four year preservice programs for students who have finished secondary education. Most teacher education programs consist of practical work experience in primary or special education. After completion, students receive a bachelor’s degree that qualifies them to teach all subjects (except physical education) across the primary school curriculum.
Since 2006, students entering teacher education colleges have been tested on their Dutch language and mathematics skills in order to guarantee standards of competence. Students who fail the test have one year to improve their language and mathematics skills. If they have not passed the test by the end of the school year, they cannot continue on to the next year.16 As of 2015, students also are obligated to demonstrate their knowledge of world orientation (e.g., geography, history, nature, and technology) before starting at the teacher education college.17,18
Since 2008, academic teacher education courses have been available at the university level. These courses were created to increase teachers’ academic potential.19
Requirements for Ongoing Professional Development in Reading for Teachers
Additional non-compulsory training is available to teachers in various fields through teacher training colleges and institutions such as school advisory services. Teachers can decide whether they want additional training and in what subject (e.g., language and arithmetic seminars, coaching of teachers, inclusive education, and children’s behavior).20 Training is provided for primary education professionals taking on new roles, such as internal student counselors, arithmetic and language coordinators, junior and senior department coordinators, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) coordinators.