Results of the literacy and numeracy test for new teachers last year has revealed that the overwhelming majority has the high level of skills required in the classroom.
More than 23,000 teaching students sat the test to assess whether they had skills in the top 30 per cent of the adult population.
Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham announced the result saying 92 per cent of students passed the literacy component and 92.3 per cent passed the numeracy component.
“Through this test we’re guaranteeing a high level of basic skills in the next generation of teachers,” Senator Birmingham said.
“Parents, schools and principals expect that a teacher in the classroom has the right subject knowledge and expertise but also the literacy and numeracy skills to best support students.”
He said that while the 2017 results were encouraging, there was still room for improvement as it was crucial teaching graduates had the skills to hit the ground running.
“The 2017 test results are slightly lower than the 2016 results, when 95.2 per cent passed the literacy component and 94.2 per cent for the numeracy component, but higher than the 2015 pilot, when 92 per cent passed the literacy component and 90 per cent passed the numeracy component,” Senator Birmingham said.
“Higher education providers need to take responsibility for the teacher graduates they accept into their initial teacher education programs.”
The Minister said it was critical initial teacher education programs were designed to best prepare students for the demands of teaching and that providers were doing everything possible to help teacher graduates succeed and become effective teachers.
More information about the literacy and numeracy test for student teachers can be found at this PS News link.
