Postgrad studies to become a teacher

People wanting to become teachers will have to study at postgraduate level and show a real disposition for the profession in a proposal aimed at improving quality around the country.

The suggestions are outlined in a report to Education Minister Anne Tolley, which says entry standards to initial teacher education programmes are "relatively low" and "do not necessarily attract top graduates".

The report, which was prepared by the Education Workforce Advisory Group and released yesterday, lists several proposals on how to attract, train and retain high-quality teachers.

It is accompanied by a discussion document which focuses on making improvements to teachers' training, better rewarding and recognising staff and strengthening leadership within schools.

One of the key proposals in the document is a move to a postgraduate qualification for teacher education on the basis it "raises the bar of entry to the profession and sends signals about expected quality".

It also suggests restricting entry to teachers' training to those who are assessed through a formal selection process as having a "disposition to teach".

It now takes a minimum of three years to become a teacher. Adding a postgraduate qualification would take it to a minimum of four years' study - a move that has received mixed reaction within the profession.

The proposal also suggests that once the student starts teaching they would remain linked to their training establishment for the first two years - rather than simply graduate and go into the workforce.

Post Primary Teachers' Association president Kate Gainsford said the suggested changes would make it harder to become a teacher. While it would weed out people who weren't serious about the profession it could also see fewer people becoming teachers if the process became too long and for not enough reward.

Frances Nelson, president of the New Zealand Educational Institute primary teachers union, said the changes would particularly affect people going into primary and early childhood teaching - where most people did a three-year degree.

It would also affect people changing careers later in life who didn't already have a degree and would have to start from scratch with four years of study.

While the NZEI supported four years of training, Ms Nelson said the balance would need to shift to ensure at least half of that time was spent on teacher training.

Under the current proposal only the last year would have to be specific teacher training.

People wanting to comment have until August 6, after which the Ministry of Education will prepare a report for the Minister to decide on.

LIFTING STANDARDS

Proposals for improving teacher education and quality:

* Entry standards for teacher training is low and doesn't attract top graduates.
* Plans to change things so students have to show a "disposition to teach" and study at a postgraduate level.
* A discussion document detailing changes is out now. Feedback must be received by August 6, when a report will be prepared for the Education Minister to consider.