Frequently Asked Questions for Implementing Registered Teacher Criteria
Introduction
Purpose
Background to the Development of the Registered Teacher Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
Professional leaders
Are there supporting resources for using the Registered Teacher Criteria?
Mentor Teachers
What will be evidence of a provisionally registered teacher meeting the Registered Teacher Criteria?
Provisionally Registered Teachers
Practising Certificates
My full practising certificate is due for renewal. Which standards will I be assessed against?
Teachers outside the general education system
Introduction
In 2010 the New Zealand Teachers Council/Te Pouherenga Kaiako o Aotearoa (the Council) began phasing out the Satisfactory Teacher Dimensions and replacing them with the Registered Teacher Criteria as the standards that describe satisfactory teaching for registration purposes.
Resources to support using the Registered Teacher Criteria, for teachers, mentors and professional leaders can be found on the website.
Purpose
The Registered Teacher Criteria will be used for assessment of teachers prior to recommendation for gaining and maintaining full teacher registration. The Registered Teacher Criteria describe the required professional knowledge in practice, and the professional relationships and values for teaching in Aotearoa New Zealand. They have been developed to reflect current thinking and research about quality teaching practice.
Background to the Development of the Registered Teacher Criteria
The Council began a review of the Satisfactory Teacher Dimensions in October 2006, working with a reference group and writing group. Consultation on the Registered Teacher Criteria was conducted in 2007 and 2008 and the criteria were trialled in a pilot programme in 2009. Feedback from the consultations and the pilot has been used to finalise the Registered Teacher Criteria, and they were introduced progressively from 2011.
Frequently Asked Questions
Professional leaders
When must I use the Registered Teacher Criteria for assessment prior to recommending a teacher for gaining or maintaining full registration?
The Registered Teacher Criteria became mandatory in 2011 for provisionally registered and subject to confirmation teachers beginning an induction programme and for other teachers renewing a full practising certificate. Your induction and mentoring programme for provisionally registered teachers and teachers registered subject to confirmation (STC) will need to incorporate the Registered Teacher Criteria.
Are there supporting resources for using the Registered Teacher Criteria?
Yes. Training and resources to assist in the use of the Registered Teacher Criteria are available on the website.
Mentor teachers
When will I have to start using the Registered Teacher Criteria in the induction and mentoring programmme for provisionally registered teachers?
In 2011 the Registered Teacher Criteria became mandatory for provisionally registered and subject to confirmation teachers beginning their induction programme. The Council also launched the Guidelines for Induction and Mentoring and Mentor Teachers in 2011, which describe high quality induction and mentoring and the key skills and attributes needed for effective mentor teachers.
What will be evidence of a provisionally registered teacher meeting the Registered Teacher Criteria?
Three broad types of sources of evidence are observations, discussions with the teacher and by the teacher with others, and documentary sources. These are likely to be used in combination. Section Two, Part C of the Registration Policy outlines the requirements for gaining full registration, including the requirement for teachers to be meaningfully assessed against and meet the Registered Teacher Criteria to gain full registration.
Provisionally Registered Teachers
My 2010 - 2011 induction and mentoring programme is using the Satisfactory Teacher Dimensions but what will happen if I am not able to complete this programme until 2012? Will my final assessment be using the Satisfactory Teacher Dimensions or the Registered Teacher Criteria?
Your final assessment will be using the Registered Teacher Criteria
Practising Certificates
My full practising certificate is due for renewal. Which standards will I be assessed against?
The Registered Teacher Criteria will be used for all teachers renewing their full practising certificates from 2011.
Teachers outside the general education system
I work in a setting outside the general education system that has been approved for maintaining full registration. Do the Registered Teacher Criteria apply to me?
Yes, if you are employed in a teaching position, the Registered Teacher Criteria do apply to you. The Registered Teacher Criteria are mandatory for all teachers renewing a full practising certificate.
I work in a setting outside the general education system that is not approved for maintaining full registration. Do the Registered Teacher Criteria apply to me?
No, the Registered Teacher Criteria do not apply to you while you are working in your current setting. If you move to a school, kura, ECE service or approved setting, the Registered Teacher Criteria will be used for assessment, prior to a recommendation for full registration.
You may, however, wish to use the Registered Teacher Criteria as a useful framework for your professional development and or appraisal.