media release

Tuesday 20 MARCH 2012

TEACHERS STANDARDS ARE GOOD FOR TEACHERS
“Treasury is spot on in saying that New Zealand needs to provide teachers with a more 'robust career path,'” said Maxim Institute Senior Researcher Steve Thomas.

Secretary to the Treasury Gabriel Makhlouf today identified key ways to improve education in New Zealand.

"There is too much variation in educational outcomes within schools and improving teacher quality may be one way of changing this situation.

“Teachers have one of the biggest measurable influences on a child’s learning, and a good teacher can add an extra year of learning to a child’s education.

“It is important that good teachers are recognised and rewarded, and that those teachers who need support are identified so that all teachers have the opportunity to develop in their skills, and all children have the opportunity for a top quality education,” said Thomas.

"New Zealand needs to attract, recruit and retain the highest quality teachers. A tiered career structure linked to teachers standards could provide this, and would help to make teaching a highly sought profession.

"Treasury has suggested what New Zealand has known for a long time but has not done enough about. We need to create a set of professional standards for teachers that distinguish between the different levels of expertise they can attain and that reward them accordingly.

“This would give teachers a career path other than moving into management, thereby helping to make sure good teachers stay in the classroom.

“It could also give scope for teachers further up the tiers to mentor those beneath them so that their knowledge and experience is passed on.”

ENDS

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