It’s class dismissed for House of Reps committees when an election is called, so the MPs inquiring into the status of teachers got some ideas out early

The House of Representatives education committee inquiring into the status of teachers still had a way to go on Thursday, when it appears chair Andrew Laming (Lib, Qld) decided it was time to report on work in progress, lest all disappear into the election abyss. A summary of the issues addressed in submissions and hearings appeared on the committee webpage.

Issues important to initial teacher education include:

* ATAR “reliability as an indication of who will be a good teacher”

* “The necessity for prerequisites such as mathematics and English for initial teacher training. Some considered this to be essential while others argued that it makes little difference to teacher quality.”

* mandatory education courses in university teaching degrees. “There are no electives. Many felt that this was risk averse and compliance driven.”

* reducing graduate teaching degrees from two to one year. “It was suggested that the second year should integrate placement, study and a salary.”