<<Note - the paper can be found at the ACDE web site referred to below>>
Hi all, Please find attached an Australian Council of Deans of Education (ACDE) discussion paper entitled "The Role of the Teacher: Coming of Age?". Examines issues of professionalism, standards, and status; "new pedagogies" and enhanced research underpinnings; and a range of educational policy and other challenges. A press release follows. -Nicholas Abbey ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) (03) 9467-1165 (h) and 0402 152 634 ACDE Discussion Paper: Rethinking the Role of Educators Internships in teacher education? Teaching qualifications for all academics? A profession to rival law and medicine? These questions are all addressed in the first ACDE discussion paper: 'The Role of the Teacher: Coming of Age?' Written by Prof. Terry Lovat with the assistance of Dr Chris Mackenzie, the paper highlights the challenges facing contemporary educators and proposes innovative approaches to meeting them. 'Educators are central to the knowledge economy. Their status, however, remains low compared to equivalent professions', Professor Lovat claimed today. 'To raise the status of the teaching profession, standards, registration and accreditation are all necessary. However, more innovation is also required within teacher education programs, and greater links needed between schools and teacher education institutions.' Issues of salaries, professional development, teaching at the tertiary level and inadequate resources are also addressed in the paper. In launching the first of several discussion papers, ACDE President Prof. Mary Kalantzis argued the need to continue debate and discussion on this important issue. 'Educators are at the heart of the knowledge economy, and it is vital that their role be better appreciated', she claimed. 'In commissioning a variety of discussion papers, the ACDE intends to be active across many educational debates. These papers follow on from New Learning: A Charter for Australian Education and are designed to promote discussion both within and outside the Council.' The authors, and the ACDE President, are available for comment. The discussion paper is attached, and hard copies may be ordered through the Executive Officer. Contact: Dr Andrew Harvey Executive Officer 0408 571 821 03 9925 7844 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.acde.edu.au -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Sub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
