With teacher education applications down, discipline deans are asking for ideas

The Australian Council of Deans of Education are holding a seminar, Melbourne Friday. Speakers include academics and unionists, consultants and officials.

Federal education minister Dan Tehan is participating on a panel, with Greens senator Janet Rice and Labor shadow assistant schools minister, Andrew Giles.

Mr Tehan is a friend to classroom teachers. In December he made a strong case for more classroom time for students in initial teacher education courses (CMM December 10). And he commissioned a House of Representatives committee inquiry on the status of the profession with a brief including, identifying support for classroom teachers, how “the burden of out-of-hours, at-home work can be reduced” and improving teacher retention and avoiding burnout. Submissions and hearing transcripts are here.