Griffith supports teacher training reforms

19 February 2015

Griffith University broadly supports the introduction of national reforms to teacher training which were announced by the Australian Federal Government on Feb. 13.

Griffith University School of Education
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Education Minister Christopher Pyne has said a nationwide approach to improving teaching quality will be implemented, as outlined in the Government Response to the Teacher Education Ministerial Advisory Group (TEMAG) inquiry.
Griffith University School of Education and Professional Studies Head Professor Donna Pendergast said it was vitally important to ensure high standards of teacher training are maintained nationwide.
“As a leading provider of quality teaching programs in Australia, Griffith University welcomes these reforms as they will reassure students, parents and the community that our children are learning to world-class standards,” Professor Pendergast said.
Key elements of the reforms include that from 2016, student teachers will be required to pass a national literacy and numeracy test before being allowed to graduate.
Primary school teachers will also need to specialise in a particular subject area, although they will not be limited to teaching that discipline only.
Griffith University already exceeds many of the new requirements, such as providing practical training and classroom experience for trainee teachers from their first year of study,” Professor Pendergast said.
Kim Bury graduated from Griffith University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Education (primary). She is now a teacher at Yarranlea Primary School at Mt Gravatt
The former teachers’ aide and mature-age student said she was “absolutely classroom ready” once she graduated from her four-year degree program at Griffith.
“Increasing amounts of time were spent in the classroom each year through practicums. In first year we spent ten days in schools and by final year we had eleven weeks of practicums, including a six-week block in the classroom.
“Griffith also provides students with the opportunity to take additional electives in literacy, numeracy and science, as well as having all those disciplines already embedded in the degree core.
“So there is that option to expand your learning even further in a particular area, if you are interested, or if you just want to boost your confidence.
“I think Griffith offers its teaching students a great balance between theory, pedagogy, practical experience and content knowledge.”

Griffith University School of Education and Professional Studies

The School of Education and Professional Studies is one of the largest teaching areas at Griffith University. The school is part of the Faculty of Faculty of Arts, Education & Law, and offers undergraduate, postgraduate and higher degree research for more than 3500 students.
Building on a 40-year history of teacher preparation, the Griffith University School of Education and Professional Studies brings this experience into a dynamic unit that operates across three campuses: Gold Coast, Logan and Mt Gravatt. The school and its staff and students are leaders in teaching and learning in the networked world, utilising innovative technologies and offering flexible program design.
Program: Master of Teaching (Primary)
Location: Gold Coast & Brisbane, Queensland
Semester intake: January/February
Duration: 1.5 years
Program: Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary)
Location: Gold Coast & Brisbane, Queensland
Semester intake: January/February
Duration: 1 year

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For more information about the Griffith University School of Education and about how to become a teacher, including teacher education program entry requirements, application deadlines, tuition fees, scholarships, please contact OzTREKK’s Australian Teachers Colleges Admissions Officer Rachel Brady at rachel@oztrekk.com, or phone toll free in Canada at 1-866-698-7355.

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