Professional Educator Volume 10 Issue 1 February 2011

Professionalism or control? Do professional standards for teachers serve the profession?

Cathy Hickey

The concept and application of standards and codes of practice as fundamental aspects of the notion of professionalism is a widely supported maxim. However, for teachers, there is an ever increasing over-emphasis on standards.

This article explores broadly the role and structure of codes and standards for professions and looks at the current issues emerging for teachers in relation to the way in which standards are constructed and the expanding use of standards.

Behind Every Good Student is a good teacher

Annie May

The wellbeing of teachers can have a direct impact on their effectiveness.  Recent research from the UK has found that unrealistic goals and standards make teachers stressed and that "those who want to be happier should not try to please everyone and should have a greater say in setting targets".

Cultivating Effective teachers: The Role of performance Assessment

In a report authored by Darling-Hammond, "Evaluating Teacher Effectiveness: How Teacher Performance Assessments can measure and Improve Teaching," she describes ways in which performance assessments can be used to influence teacher licensure and training and potential policies to advance the field of teacher preparation.

Research Roundup:  TERRAnova: renewing teacher education for rural and regional Australia

In 2008, the ARC funded a large discovery project aimed at informing improvements in initial teacher education to better support beginning teachers to take up positions in rural schools around Australia, and to stay there long enough to make a positive impact on the lives and learning of rural and remote students.

From the Archives: Dr Anna Hogg: A leader of the times

 James Dwyer FACE opens the ACE files on a founding member who achieved many firsts. And at the grand age of 100, her outstanding contribution to education in Australia is still making an impact.