High-Quality Professional Learning for Australian school teachers and school leaders

Key messages:

1. Australia’s teachers and school leaders are highly committed and motivated, investing considerable time into their own professional learning to improve the quality of teaching and learning for their students. Across the OECD countries, Australia has one of the highest participation rates in professional learning.
2. Concerningly, our teachers and school leaders are collaborating and meeting less frequently for professional learning compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. The professional learning landscape has changed. Technology-rich learning and administrative environments are being developed and the primary mode of professional learning has shifted to online activities.
4. Selection of professional learning activities should be based on individual teacher needs, whole-school priorities and align with expectations set by systems, sectors and teacher regulatory authorities.
5. Leaders can support teacher agency through a variety of strategies while balancing overarching priorities.

Introduction/why read:

We are excited to share the Spotlight report on High-Quality Professional Learning (HQPL) for Australian school teachers and school leaders. The report reveals your remarkable dedication and motivation to invest significant time into your professional development. Your commitment contributes to better outcomes for learners everywhere.

It is encouraging to note that Australia has one of the highest participation rates in professional learning among Organisation for Economic Co-operation Development (OECD) countries (OECD, 2014, 2019).

The report highlights a significant shift in the mode of professional learning, with technology-rich online environments gaining prominence. As technology continues to transform the education landscape, AITSL recognises the importance of adapting professional learning approaches to leverage these new opportunities.

We are dedicated to supporting your professional learning journey by providing resources like the HQPL toolkit and advocating for the alignment of professional learning activities with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.