A national approach to the certification of Highly Accomplished and Lead teachers
All Ministers for Education endorsed a national approach to the certification of Highly Accomplished and Lead teachers on 20 April 2012 at the Standing Council of School Education and Early Childhood (SCSEEC).
Certification is a key component of the National Partnership on Improving Teacher Quality which commits all governments to national consistency in certification of Highly Accomplished and Lead teachers and is an important element in a broader teacher quality strategy that develops, recognises and supports excellent practitioners.
A national approach to voluntary certification based on the National Professional Standards for Teachers will ensure that teachers, in every system and sector, have access to a rigorous and transparent process that recognises Highly Accomplished and Lead teachers and is portable throughout Australia.
Certification of Highly Accomplished and Lead teachers has three primary purposes:
- recognise and promote quality teaching
- provide an opportunity for teachers to reflect on their practice
- provide a reliable indication of quality teaching that can be used to identify, recognise and/or reward Highly Accomplished and Lead teachers.
Resources
Certification of Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers: Principles and processes - Apr 2012 - 792KB PDF
Fact sheet – Certification - 739KB PDF
FAQ – Certification - 79KB PDF
Related news
Media release - Certification and the Framework 42KB PDF
Minister Garrett Media release - Annual performance goals for every Australian teacher - 27 April 2012
Opinion Piece - Anthony Mackay, AITSL Chair - Recognising and supporting the best - 27 April 2012
Opinion Piece - Anthony Mackay, AITSL Chair - Rewarding great teachers - 28 November 2011
Year
2011
- research, mapping and analysis of existing practices nationally and internationally, and extensive national consultation
- development of certification principles and major features proposal
- endorsement for consultation by Education Ministers – October
2012
- ongoing national consultation
- endorsement by Education Minsters - April
- establishment of certifying authorities by systems and sectors
- development of materials to support implementation
- transition from existing systems of certification/accreditation
2013
- implementation of national approach to certification
2014
- certified teachers eligible for Rewards for Great Teachers Australian Government one-off payment
Contact
Requests for further information and any queries about certification of Highly Accomplished and Lead teachers may be directed to certification@aitsl.edu.au
Development and implementation
The development of the certification principles and processes involved extensive national consultation with key education stakeholders including teacher employers, regulatory authorities, teacher unions, national, state and territory peak bodies, and practicing teachers and school leaders. The principles and processes were informed by research and analysis of existing practices across Australia, in addition to advice and guidance of both national and international experts.