Resource information
This report, published in 2017, explores the state of professional learning for teachers: looking at research projects, stakeholder consultation and a literature review.
Key findings include:
- The Australian Charter for Professional Learning of Teachers and School Leaders (Charter) and the Australian Teacher Performance and Development Framework (Framework) provide effective guidance that can be adapted to local contexts and system requirements. However, this is an opportunity to update the two policies and strengthen the implementation and use of them in schools.
- Teachers advocated for programs and opportunities that communicate clear objectives, identify target participants and make clear connections to practice so that teachers can make relevant choices and connections to the Teacher Standards.
- Teachers also want further opportunities for job-embedded learning, action-research and mentoring arrangements.
- More opportunities are needed for teachers who currently experience barriers to access high-quality professional learning.
- School leaders should support teacher agency and identify opportunities for alignment between school improvement plans and individual professional learning goals.
- School leaders should also leverage a broad range of expertise within and beyond their schools to support and promote professional learning that is:
- job-embedded
- practical, action-oriented and enables incremental application and review.
