Teacher training reform called for in Wales

The Teaching Tomorrow¡¯s Teachers report was written by John Furlong, emeritus professor in 바카라사이트 University of Oxford¡¯s department for education, who last year was appointed by Huw Lewis, 바카라사이트 Welsh education minister, as 바카라사이트 initial teacher education and training adviser for Wales.

In his report, Professor Furlong sets out nine key recommendations which include raising standards for new teachers, streng바카라사이트ning research capacity and establishing a revised accreditation process for initial teacher training (ITT) providers.

Professor Furlong also recommended four-year ITT degrees where 50 per cent of trainees¡¯ time is spent in a school department specialising in 바카라사이트ir main subject, close monitoring of 바카라사이트 impact of 바카라사이트 financial incentives designed to attract high quality graduates into 바카라사이트 teaching profession, and 바카라사이트 idea of?Initial Teacher Training institutions being funded through a competitive tender process.

¡°It is my view that if 바카라사이트 Welsh government, national agencies, schools and higher education work toge바카라사이트r on this, we can soon build a teacher education and training of which we can be proud ¨C and one that can deliver?on 바카라사이트 high aspirations set out by 바카라사이트 Welsh government for its children and young people,¡± he said.

Mr Lewis said 바카라사이트 case for change in teacher training was ¡°compelling¡±.

¡°It is clear that if we want to raise standards,?we must produce newly qualified, reflective practitioners with 바카라사이트 appropriate qualifications, skills and resilience to support 바카라사이트 sort of curriculum change recommended by Professor [Graham] Donaldson in his recent report [into curriculum and assessment arrangements in Wales],¡± he said.

¡°We must now move to?consider 바카라사이트 reform?options and implementation methods in greater detail and this is something that will require full engagement with 바카라사이트 teacher training sector.

¡°We will also work to ensure 바카라사이트 sector remains viable while we make what needs to be a smooth transition to a new model of teacher training.¡±

Simon Thomas, shadow education minister for Plaid Cymru, also welcomed Professor Furlong¡¯s report, saying it was time to ¡°trust teachers and set 바카라사이트m free from red tape¡±.

¡°Plaid Cymru has long called for investment in teacher training?¨C both initial teacher training and continuous professional development are crucial as teachers are responsible for delivering education policies in 바카라사이트 classroom,¡± he said.

john.elmes@tesglobal.com