Title: Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
Author: Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL)
About
The "Australian Professional Standards for Teachers" provides a framework for professional competence across four career stages: Graduate, Proficient, Highly Accomplished, and Lead. It guides teachers in understanding and developing their practice to impact student learning effectively.
The standards are categorised into three main areas: Professional Knowledge, Professional Practice, and Professional Engagement. Each details specific competencies for the career stages.
The document supports professional growth and quality in teaching through continuous development. It aligns teaching practices with clear standards, enhancing skills systematically. This structure supports self-assessment, peer evaluation, and formal assessments. It is meant to be a comprehensive tool for career advancement in education.
Author
The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) authored the document. AITSL provides national leadership for the Australian States and Territories in promoting excellence in teaching and school leadership. It sets benchmarks and frameworks that uphold and enhance teacher quality across Australia.
Key Takeaways
- Align teaching practice with structured competencies across four career stages to ensure professional growth.
- Use the division of standards into Professional Knowledge, Practice, and Engagement to develop teaching skills comprehensively.
- Engage with the standards to guide professional development from Graduate to Lead levels.
- Implement the standards to assess and demonstrate teaching competencies effectively.
- Use the framework for both self-assessment and formal evaluations to progress in your teaching career.
7 Key Areas of Teaching Practice Development
The document outlines seven key areas essential for the development of teaching practice:
- Knowing students and how they learn
- Knowing the content and how to teach it
- Planning for and implementing effective teaching and learning
- Creating and maintaining supportive and safe learning environments
- Assessing, providing feedback, and reporting on student learning
- Engaging in professional learning
- Engaging professionally with colleagues, parents/carers, and the community
Each area comes with specific strategies and expected outcomes, adapted for each of the four career stages. This provides teachers with a clear path for development and self-evaluation.