low graphics version | feedback | help
| Front Page World UK UK Politics Business Sci/Tech Health |
| Education |
| Correspondents How the Education Systems Work |
| Sport Entertainment Talking Point In Depth AudioVideo |
|
 The BBC's Sue Littlemore reports"To qualify teachers will have to demonstrate a range of skills"  real 28k |
Teachers get appraisal details
Teachers will be expected to show they have helped pupils improve their results
The criteria teachers in England will be judged against in appraisals for performance-related pay have been published.
The Department for Education released details of the proposed system on Wednesday, alongside proposals to give extra money to teachers who take part in training and professional development schemes.
The promise of more opportunities for teachers to boost their skills, in ways which could eventually be reflected in their pay, is intended to smooth the acceptance of the pay reforms.
One possibility in the proposals published for consultation is the prospect of sabbaticals for experienced teachers.
Pupils' progress
Under the performance-related pay system, teachers aiming for a �2,000 pay rise and access to a higher pay scale will have to show how they helped pupils improve on their previous best results.
Reference to proof of pupils' "progress towards national levels of achievement" has been dropped from earlier drafts of the government's proposals, with teachers now having to show simply that pupils have made progress "as good or better than similar pupils nationally".
Teachers will also have to show how they:
A spokesman for the Education Department said the criteria would apply to teachers' pay in both England and Wales, although the "mechanics" of the system would probably be different in Wales.
This has angered the opposition parties in the National Assembly, who have stressed from the outset that they will not accept any link between pupil performance and teachers' pay.
They say this is one issue the labour leadership in the Assembly must be prepared to fight politically with London.
Announcing the details, School Standards Minister Estelle Morris said the assessment of pupils' progress did not amount to "payment by results" - a view contested fiercely by the National Union of Teachers.
But she said it was "common sense" that the assessment of teachers would be "incomplete if we did not consider the progress of pupils as well as the quality of teaching".
"This is a good package for teachers," she said. "Some have sought to misrepresent it. I call on everyone - teachers, employers and unions - to work together to raise the status of the teaching profession and raise the levels of pay good teachers will receive."
Ms Morris said the proposed programme to enhance teachers' professional development would enable more people to access the new higher pay levels, and would improve their contribution in the classroom.
"All teachers should have an entitlement to high quality learning opportunities. Our proposals will only work if teachers confidence and competence are nurtured and supported, so that high performance and improved opportunity go hand in hand."
Under the professional development proposals, a new national framework would map out standards which teachers would be expected to meet at each stage of their career.
To help them meet them, the government would be piloting professional bursaries, making money available directly for professional development.
Head teachers will soon be offered training in how to assess their staff for performance-related pay, and forms for teachers who wish to apply are due to go out next month - with those successful getting extra money in their pay packets in September.
But on Tuesday, the Chief Inspector of Schools in England, Chris Woodhead, cast doubt on the prospects for the appraisal system when he pointed to schools' poor track record in assessing their staff.
He said: "A great deal of work will be needed if the government's drive to introduce performance management is to have any real impact."
The Department for Education released details of the proposed system on Wednesday, alongside proposals to give extra money to teachers who take part in training and professional development schemes.
The promise of more opportunities for teachers to boost their skills, in ways which could eventually be reflected in their pay, is intended to smooth the acceptance of the pay reforms.
One possibility in the proposals published for consultation is the prospect of sabbaticals for experienced teachers.
Pupils' progress
Under the performance-related pay system, teachers aiming for a �2,000 pay rise and access to a higher pay scale will have to show how they helped pupils improve on their previous best results.
Reference to proof of pupils' "progress towards national levels of achievement" has been dropped from earlier drafts of the government's proposals, with teachers now having to show simply that pupils have made progress "as good or better than similar pupils nationally".
Teachers will also have to show how they:
- challenge and support all pupils to do their best
- have a thorough and up-to-date knowledge of their subject
- plan lesson to meet pupils' individual needs
- use a range of teaching and classroom management strategies
- use assessment data to set targets for pupils
- take responsibility for their professional development
- contribute to the policies and aspirations of their school
A spokesman for the Education Department said the criteria would apply to teachers' pay in both England and Wales, although the "mechanics" of the system would probably be different in Wales.
This has angered the opposition parties in the National Assembly, who have stressed from the outset that they will not accept any link between pupil performance and teachers' pay.
They say this is one issue the labour leadership in the Assembly must be prepared to fight politically with London.
Announcing the details, School Standards Minister Estelle Morris said the assessment of pupils' progress did not amount to "payment by results" - a view contested fiercely by the National Union of Teachers.
But she said it was "common sense" that the assessment of teachers would be "incomplete if we did not consider the progress of pupils as well as the quality of teaching".
 Estelle Morris: "This is a good package for teachers" |
"This is a good package for teachers," she said. "Some have sought to misrepresent it. I call on everyone - teachers, employers and unions - to work together to raise the status of the teaching profession and raise the levels of pay good teachers will receive."
Ms Morris said the proposed programme to enhance teachers' professional development would enable more people to access the new higher pay levels, and would improve their contribution in the classroom.
"All teachers should have an entitlement to high quality learning opportunities. Our proposals will only work if teachers confidence and competence are nurtured and supported, so that high performance and improved opportunity go hand in hand."
Under the professional development proposals, a new national framework would map out standards which teachers would be expected to meet at each stage of their career.
To help them meet them, the government would be piloting professional bursaries, making money available directly for professional development.
Head teachers will soon be offered training in how to assess their staff for performance-related pay, and forms for teachers who wish to apply are due to go out next month - with those successful getting extra money in their pay packets in September.
But on Tuesday, the Chief Inspector of Schools in England, Chris Woodhead, cast doubt on the prospects for the appraisal system when he pointed to schools' poor track record in assessing their staff.
He said: "A great deal of work will be needed if the government's drive to introduce performance management is to have any real impact."
| Search BBC News Online | |
|  Advanced search options | |
| |
 | |
 | |
| |
 | BBC RADIO NEWS |
| |
| |
| BBC ONE TV NEWS |
| |
| |
| WORLD NEWS SUMMARY |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| PROGRAMMES GUIDE |
See also:
Internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Links to other Education stories are at the foot of the page.
E-mail this story to a friend
