Teachers, Teacher Education, and Professional Development
Teacher Education Specific to Reading
In Portugal, teachers must have a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.30 Instructors at the primary level usually receive their initial teacher training from specialized teacher education schools (Escolas Superiores de Educação), part of the polytechnic network of higher education institutions. While some universities in Portugal offer bachelor’s degrees in basic education, most offer master’s degrees to prospective lower and upper secondary teachers who already have basic scientific, technical, and pedagogical backgrounds. The initial training of teachers (equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in basic education) requires 180 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits (1 ECTS credit corresponds to 25 to 30 hours of students’ work per subject per year) and is divided into four main parts: the teaching area (requiring at least 125 ECTS credits), general education (at least 15 ECTS credits), specific didactics (at least 15 ECTS credits), and an introduction to professional practice (at least 15 ECTS credits). Of the ECTS credits composing the teaching area requirement, a minimum of 30 must come from Portuguese language courses; 30 from mathematics courses; 30 from natural sciences, history, and geography of Portugal courses; 30 from artistic and motor expressions courses; and five from culture, society, and ethics courses. Following the initial training, prospective teachers of the first cycle (Grades 1 to 4) of basic and secondary education must complete a master’s degree program (90 ECTS credits) in education to obtain a professional teacher certification that specifies the subjects that teachers can teach.31 Candidates can accumulate professional certifications for teaching more than one cycle of basic and secondary education by completing a 120 ECTS credit master’s degree program.32 Teachers specializing in the second or third cycles of basic education can major in Portuguese and History and Geography of Portugal, Portuguese and a Foreign Language, or Portuguese and Classical Languages. These majors in language focus both on didacticism and professional teaching practices. Specializations at the master’s level are required to teach Portuguese in the second, third, or upper secondary cycles of basic and secondary education.
Requirements for Ongoing Professional Development in Reading for Teachers
With the implementation of the Bologna Process (finalized in 2009–2010), a master’s degree in education with a professional practice internship became a requirement to teach at public, private, and cooperative schools and at teaching establishments that offer preschool, basic, or secondary education.33 After earning a teaching qualification, prospective teachers must pass a national qualifying examination that includes general education and subject-specific components. This requirement was in place during PIRLS 2016, but has now been revoked by the newly appointed government.34 Newly certified prospective teachers must complete one year of supervised practicum and probationary teaching with, at least, a grade of “Good.” After being appointed for teaching duties, teachers are required to enroll in duly certified short term training programs for professional development. These programs are managed by the Ministry of Education in partnership with higher education institutions and professional associations that have been certified by the Ministry of Education.35 The purpose of requirements for ongoing professional development is to improve teachers’ performance in order to meet the objectives of national and local education policies.36 Experienced teachers or heads of teaching departments can act as informal tutors for teachers who are enrolled in professional development training, and can collaborate in teaching specific subjects. Teachers pursuing professional development in reading can take certified short duration courses, enroll as visiting students in doctoral courses, or participate in seminars and training workshops devoted to the teaching of the Portuguese language.