Teachers Council release registration criteria

This year sees the introduction of new standards to achieve and maintain full teacher registration.

All teachers in NZ schools and ECE will need to meet the standards from 2011. They will replace the current Satisfactory Teacher Dimensions which have been the benchmark for ‘satisfactory recent teaching experience’ since 1998.

“The new Criteria will promote high standards for teachers and quality learning for students,” said Dr Peter Lind, director of the Teachers Council.

“The new standards focus on the best ways to teach and to learn.”

This year the uptake is voluntary and the council will be providing professional development and resources to support the implementation of the new Registered Teacher Criteria. From 2011, the Criteria will apply to all teachers who apply for or renew a practising certificate.

The Registered Teacher Criteria have been developed and piloted in consultation with teachers and education sector leaders over the last three years.

They articulate the essential professional knowledge, practices, relationships and values that current educational literature and experience tell us are most likely to lead to successful outcomes for learners.

The council has two broad aims for the Registered Teacher Criteria. The first is to ensure agreed standards of professional practice are applied consistently throughout all schools, kura and early childhood education services.

The second is to support on-going improvements to teaching and learning as teachers use the Registered Teacher Criteria as a tool to guide both individual and institution-wide professional learning and development.

“Teachers involved in the trial of the Registered Teacher Criteria were extremely positive about their clarity, usefulness and their potential to support professional learning,” said Dr Lind.

“We are confident these new criteria will be welcomed by the profession as a tool to promote high standards in teaching and gain good outcomes for learners.”

It is unlawful to employ or be employed as a teacher in schools, kura, kindergartens and progressively in other ECE services, without registration and a current practising certificate.

Practising certificates must be renewed every three years.

To be ‘fully registered’, a teacher must be assessed as competent in the Satisfactory Teacher Dimensions, now to be replaced by the Registered Teacher Criteria.

Information about the Registered Teacher Criteria is available on the council’s website at: www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz