Teachers’ ongoing learning a critical component of professional standards framework
Tuesday, 15 March 2016: The Teaching Council has approved the first national framework for teachers’ learning, following consultation with the profession and other stakeholders. Formally launched today, Cosán [Irish for “pathway”] acknowledges teachers’ commitment to professional learning, and sets out a framework for recognition of that learning, in the context of teachers’ status as registered professionals.
According to Teaching Council Director, Tomás Ó Ruairc, “As the statutory professional standards body for teaching, the Teaching Council is mandated in law to both promote and regulate the profession. In this context, since its establishment in 2006 the Council has been developing standards for all stages of teachers’ learning, including initial teacher education and induction (Droichead).
Cosán, the first national framework for teachers’ learning, is the next step in this development of professional standards. It represents another pillar to further support quality teaching and learning, rooted in the Council’s core values of shared professional responsibility, professionally-led regulation and collective professional confidence. All of these standards have been designed to reassure both the profession and the wider public that teachers’ learning is of high quality and is able to adapt and respond to the evolving learning needs of children, young people and adult learners”.
Cosán is set out under a number of key headings including values and principles, dimensions of teachers’ learning, learning processes, learning areas, standards to guide learning and reflection. It also sets out possible criteria for the quality assurance and accreditation of teachers’ learning.
The next stage in the evolution of Cosán will be a development process which will allow space and time for the teaching profession to work out how the framework can best support and recognise their ongoing learning. This will be with a view to reassuring both themselves and the public that their professional learning continues to have an impact where it matters most – students’ learning.
Subject to the findings of this developmental process, the Council is aiming for implementation of the framework by 2020. This takes account of concerns about the pace and scale of change in the education system.
The Teaching Council is inviting expressions of interest from schools and individuals who are interested in participating in this development phase so that their experience can help shape the future landscape of teachers’ professional learning. Expressions of interest can be emailed to cosan@teachingcouncil.ie. Further information is available on www.teachingcouncil.ie.
ENDS
