A new strategy to strengthen the quality of teaching in classrooms and further support student learning has been unveiled to support the work of Western Australian public schools.
Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery today launched the Quality Teaching Strategy, which details key elements of teaching practice that are shown by research to improve outcomes for students.
The strategy will help school leaders, in consultation with their staff, to assess and determine how they can build on the initiatives they already have in place to further strengthen the quality of teaching practice across their schools.
It also provides clear descriptions of what evidence shows are effective classroom strategies that help students succeed.
A targeted survey is available for principals to assess their school culture, and ensure they have the necessary conditions in place to support effective classroom practice by all teachers.
A new leadership development program with professional learning for school leaders is also part of the strategy. This is designed to build on their capability to lead cultures of high performance in their schools.
The Quality Teaching Strategy is the result of extensive consultation, research and collaboration with the profession, and complements the $2.5 million Phonics Initiative announced in May.
From 2023, all public primary schools will complete an annual phonics assessment with Year 1 students.
It will help teachers to identify students who need additional support to develop the essential phonics skills, knowledge and understandings they need to be successful.
This is in addition to a funding boost through changes to the annual educational adjustment allocation announced by the McGowan Government as part of the 2022-23 State Budget.
A total of $31.9 million over four years has been invested to provide extra assistance to those students who need the most help to improve, particularly with their literacy and numeracy skills. The additional funding will support teachers to explicitly teach these students the literacy and numeracy skills they need to stay engaged with learning.
To provide further support for students with disabilities, $4.6 million was announced earlier this year to fund the implementation of the Students with Disabilities and Complex Behaviour Framework.
The framework has been developed by the Department of Education to effectively support WA schools to meet the needs of students with disabilities and complex behaviours, and assist them to unlock and fulfil their future potential.
The $1 million WA Centre for Excellence in Explicit Teaching of Literacy also forms part of the State Government’s commitment to improve literacy teaching in WA public schools.
The new Quality Teaching Strategy builds on the State Government’s previous investments aimed at ensuring every child leaves primary school with the ability to read and write, and all schools have the resources to understand the needs of every child and respond to them accordingly.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
“Our teachers and school leaders do a fantastic job of teaching and supporting young Western Australians, and parents expect their children are getting a high-quality education so they can achieve their best.
“The new Quality Teaching Strategy is one of several Government measures aimed at making improvements across the sector so there is a consistent approach to quality teaching, and providing additional support to teachers and school leaders in this important work.
“We understand that teachers learn to improve their classroom practice when they are working within a school environment that supports their professional growth.
“The Quality Teaching Strategy aims to support improvement at both the classroom and school levels, and will complement the other supports already being rolled out in our public schools.”
