On 26 November 2008, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, former Minister for Education, announced that the Australian Government, through the new National Partnership agreement with states and territories, will be undertaking an initiative to recruit high-achieving graduates into teaching. The new pathway initiative includes a vital role for businesses, which have a growing stake in the performance of the education system, and can make an important contribution to improving education standards.
Quality teaching is the single most important school-based contributor to student achievement. The Australian Government has committed to working together with state and territory governments to improve the quality of classroom teaching through flexibility and innovation in teacher recruitment, training, classroom support and professional development.
The initiative recognises the essential role of the Australian business community in improving education standards. Employers have a growing stake in the performance of the education system. Our future prosperity relies on the skills, talents and motivations of young Australians.
The Australian Government through a Request for Tender selected a national coordinating body 'Teach For Australia' (a non for profit organisation) who are responsible for the selection and recruitment of high calibre, non teaching graduates for the program, and will manage the initiative centrally, creating efficiencies for schools, school systems, businesses and teachers. The University of Melbourne was also selected and is responsible for the design and delivery of nationally recognised teacher education course and mentor training.
The Minister invited the Australian business community to become involved in the new pathway initiative, to help secure our nation's future. Read more about the initiative, and request further information, at the Teach for Australia website.
Evaluation
The Australian Government has commissioned the Australian Council of Educational Research to conduct an independent evaluation of the Teach for Australia program. The Evaluation Report Phase 1 of a three phase evaluation is now available.