UQ to pay teacher test fees for teacher education students

18 April 2016

The University of Queensland will pay literacy and numeracy test fees for its teacher education students for the next three years.
Provost Professor Max Lu said the decision was made last year when plans to introduce literacy and numeracy testing were first announced.
“UQ is committed to the quality of its teacher education graduates and their capacity to make a positive difference to the students they will teach,” he said.

UQ School of Education
Head of School of Education Professor Merrilyn Goos with (left to right) students Emily Muller, Vishael Narayan, Jordan Duncombe, Eamonn O’Loughlin, Jarrod Golltz, Tessa Hogan and Chelsea Iddon (Photo credit: UQ)

Plans to introduce nationwide literacy and numeracy tests for teacher education students were announced last year and are to be a requirement for all graduating teacher education students this year.
The tests are designed to ensure the quality of teachers entering the workforce.
Professor Lu said the university wanted to ensure current students were not disadvantaged by the addition of the testing fee of $185 per student.
“The university has already set aside funding for the next three years, in the first instance, to pay for its pre-service teachers to sit the literacy and numeracy test.”
Education Minister Senator Simon Birmingham this week confirmed that higher education providers would be permitted to pay for students to sit the tests.
UQ School of Education Head Professor Merrilyn Goos said the university’s commitment to support the students was an important decision.
“High-quality teachers are vital to the future of Queensland, and we look forward to working with the relevant national and state authorities in implementing the tests,” Professor Goos said.
The University of Queensland’s School of Education offers primary and secondary teacher education, with about 400 students graduating each year.

Why study the UQ Master of Teaching (Primary)?

The Master of Teaching (Primary) is a teacher preparation program specifically designed for people with an undergraduate degree to qualify as a primary school teacher in 1.5 years of full-time study. The program is ideal for those looking for a career change or who wish to follow their passion for teaching.
The program consists of periods of on-campus lectures, tutorials and workshops, alternated with blocks of professional placements in schools. Strong emphasis is placed on classroom practice with placements designed to provide opportunity for professional development and learning for growth into the role of beginning teacher. All placements are supported by an expert team of university facilitators, whose role is to liaise, visit, observe practice, and support the pre-service teachers and school-based mentors.
Students will gain the benefits of being taught by national and international award-winning lecturers and will be thoroughly prepared for a career in education through access to the latest innovations in teaching research taking place within UQ’s School of Education.
This program is 1.5 years full time, the equivalent of 2 years (4 semesters) full time, offered intensively over 18 calendar months by using a summer semester.
Program: Master of Teaching (Primary)
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Semester intake: February
Duration: 1.5 years (18 calendar months)
Application deadline: November 15

Entry requirements

  • successfully completed, at minimum, a three-year undergraduate degree from a recognized university; and
  • have achieved a 65 percent average or above.

For the Master of Teaching (Primary) program, applicants must meet the necessary prerequisites for two of the following curriculum areas: Arts (including Drama, Dance, Media, Music and Visual Arts); English; Mathematics; Science; History, Geography, Civics; Health and Physical Education; Technology

Apply to the University of Queensland Teachers College!

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Find out more about teacher education at UQ! Contact OzTREKK’s Australian Teachers Colleges Admissions Officer Shannon Tilston at shannon@oztrekk.com for more information.

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