Monday 26 January 2015

LABOR UNVEILS PLAN TO REWARD EXCELLENT TEACHERS

Media Release


Queensland students will benefit from Labor’s plan to retain the best teachers in state school classrooms.
Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said Labor’s Letting Teachers Teach policy meant the best teachers would be encouraged to stay in the classroom, rather than having to move into administrative roles.
“Our policy will modernise the teaching profession and encourage the very best to remain where they can be most effective for our students – in the classroom.
“Under the old time-honoured structure excellent teachers are expected to move into administrative roles to advance their careers.
“But to lift student performance, we want the best teachers to teach, not to be stuck in offices away from students who can benefit from their talents.
“Under our policy excellent experienced teachers will be able to be classed as Highly Accomplished or Lead Teachers with pay grades that properly reflect their value to students and our education system.
“This is a model recommended by the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership and one that we will work towards.
“Students can’t benefit from the expertise of our best teachers if they are no longer in the classroom.
“International research shows that a key determinant in student outcomes and performance is teacher quality – so we will keep the best in our classrooms.
“That is why a Labor Government will establish classifications for the most effective teachers that will give them the chance to advance their careers and have their abilities recognised without the need to leave the classroom.”
A Labor Government would invest $6 million over three years to develop new classifications for excellent teachers. The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission would be asked to determine the actual salaries of Highly Accomplished and Lead teachers.
Ms Palaszczuk said in New South Wales teachers classified as Highly Accomplished teachers were paid roughly 1.7 times the level of a graduate teacher.
She said the standards to be developed would be rigorous.
“While we would never discourage teachers from becoming principals or deputy principals, or taking up other roles, we believe teachers should be free to choose to carry on teaching and be properly rewarded for doing what they do best in the interests of their students,” he said.

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