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Quality teachers are the greatest in-school influence on student outcomes and by increasing the supply of high quality teachers in Victorian schools we will ensure every student, regardless of where they live, has access to excellent teachers in their classrooms.
Our challenge
Quality teachers are the greatest in-school influence on student outcomes and by increasing the supply of high quality teachers in Victorian schools we will ensure every student, regardless of where they live, has access to excellent teachers in their classrooms.
Schools in low socio-economic areas and many rural and regional locations generally have lower student learning outcomes than other schools. These schools also have the most difficulty in attracting and retaining high quality teachers.
Disadvantaged schools have even more difficulty attracting and retaining high-performing teachers
But disadvantage is not destiny as 13% of students in disadvantaged schools scored in the top quarter nationwide in reading - PISA 201
“ We want to attract people to our town, not pull them there. We want them to stay longer term and be part of our community, not just come for a year and then leave.” (Participant, Expert Advisory Panel for Rural and Regional Students, 2019)
What we can do
What we can do
New appointees will be better prepared to meet the needs of students, leading to greater job satisfaction and commitment to the school and local community, if we:
Provide a range of incentives to attract high quality principals, teachers and support staff in order to provide the most appropriate locally determined measures
Support the development by schools, in collaboration with local communities, of strong induction and welcome programs for new appointments, including programs for partners/family members
Provide ongoing support for new teachers with local coordinators, professional networks and funding and time release for professional learning.
A collaborative call to action
Responsibility for change does not rest solely with a handful of individuals or schools. We must look beyond the usual suspects and our own school gates and work together to ensure that, regardless of location or circumstances, that every young person has access to high quality schooling and opportunities.
This challenge requires a collective effort, calling upon everyone in our communities - from parents to local businesses, sports coaches to community leaders - to become become part of the solution that supports the attraction and retention of high quality teachers across all schools in our state.
Are you in?
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