Teacher Training & the best teachers

A report by the Institute for Public Policy Research reflects on the economic, social and political trends and changes to the role and expectations of teachers within the last 20 years before going on to illustrate how the difference between a good and a bad teacher can equate to 1 GCSE grade and that whilst a focus does exist on poorly performing teachers there is concern about how to improve those teachers who are deemed "uninspiring".

Teaching of psychological skills are important, but the professional development for teachers to develop skills in this area is weak.

Within limitations, the authors suggest certain characteristics which make an effective teacher. These include high levels of literacy and the teachers academic ability, which affects student attainment more than any other measure.

The authors state that teacher training should be more contextually specific and personalised the individual needs.

Amongst the headlines on the BBC and others include:
- That the current intake of teachers does not reflect the brightest graduates (in the UK it is the top 30% of graduates, whereas in other countries it is the top 10% or even 5%).
- Part of the reason for failing to attract the best is the lack of continued professional development (pay was found to have no effect).
- 1 years training is inadequate.
- 5 days teacher training per year is inadequate (suggest it should be 20).
- The role of school based mentors can be better developed.

The report also notes how different skills are needed to teach vocational subjects, something to become more prevalent with the changes at 14-19.

Click on image to hear an interview with the report's author and a leader from the NUT (from Radio 4's Today, 6-5-08)



Click on BBC News to see their report (6-5-08)