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Professional Recognition for Expert Teachers
09/04/1999
Scottish Education Minister Helen Liddell today announced proposals to develop a new educational standard for expert teachers which will "ensure full recognition of the high level of skills and abilities that experienced teachers require."
The new standard for expert teachers will form part of a national framework for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for the teaching profession. The development of the framework - a range of competencies, standards and associated qualifications - was given wide support in a recent Scottish Office consultation exercise.
Mrs Liddell said:
"Teachers' enthusiasm for better structured and better directed professional development is greatly encouraging. The new standard for expert teachers will ensure full recognition for the demanding job that teaching is and of the high level of skills and abilities that experienced teachers require. A recognised standard that experienced teachers can aim for will help raise the status and indeed morale of the profession.
"The new standard and associated development programme will be derived through full consultation with teachers and other interested parties. This standard must include what those in the profession want - it is not something which should be imposed on the profession.
"Responses to the consultation on CPD highlight the need for a coherent strategy for the development of the teaching profession in Scotland. The development of a new standard for expert teachers is the next stage in the development of such a strategy
"Part of the work on the framework has already begun. I launched the Scottish Qualification for Headship in February and the General Teaching Council is developing a standard for the end of probation. The next stage is the development of a new standard for expert teachers.
"Raising standards in schools is vitally dependent on the skills and abilities of our teachers. We owe it to the young men and women of Scotland that they receive the best quality teaching and start in life."
BACKGROUND
1. The consultation document "Proposals for Developing A Framework for Continuing Professional Development for the Teaching Profession in Scotland was issued in July 1998. The consultation period ended in October 1998.
2. Proposals to develop the expert teacher standard reflect responses to the consultation paper which identified a need to expand career development opportunities for classroom teachers and associated teaching roles, possibly leading to an advanced professional qualification.
News Release: 0937/99
9 April, 1999