TRB response to article in the Adelaide Advertiser (18 August 2016)
On Tuesday 23rd of August Louise Firrell IEU(SA) Assistant Secretary and Howard Spreadbury AEU President had discussions with TRB Registrar Dr Peter Lind about their concerns regarding an article published in The Advertiser on the 18th of August. Below is a response from Dr Lind and the TRB to that article.
The IEU(SA) wholly supports the view of the TRB and wishes to express its disappointment at the “teacher bashing” tone of the Advertiser’s article.
Teacher’s commitment to professional learning is to be commended
Contrary to Thursday’s article Teachers given a caning over dodgy rego claims the overwhelming majority of South Australia’s teachers submitted professional learning requirements accurately. Teachers renewing their registration in 2015 were the first cohort to do so under new professional learning requirements introduced in 2012. The Board’s evaluation of this requirement and how it was met revealed confusion by a “proportion” of teachers between what constituted professional practice and what constituted professional learning.
The Board has since worked closely with these teachers to ensure greater understanding between professional learning and professional practice. For example, if a teacher was completing additional tasks such as marking SACE examinations this would be regarded as professional practice. However, if that teacher engaged in acquiring new assessment skills and knowledge to fulfil this task then this would be regarded as professional learning.
Going forward we will be working closely with all key stakeholders to clearly identify what is professional learning and what is professional practice and effectively communicating this with all registered teachers in South Australia.
Dr Peter Lind
REGISTRAR
TEACHERS REGISTRATION BOARD 23/08/2016
