Implementation of the Registered Teacher Criteria

Registered Teacher Criteria replace Satisfactory Teacher Dimensions

In 2011 the Registered Teacher Criteria replaced the Satisfactory Teacher Dimensions as the standards required for satisfactory teaching for registration purposes. 

The Registered Teacher Criteria describe what provisionally registered teachers need to work towards in order to gain full registration, and what fully registered teachers need to demonstrate at appropriate levels of expertise in order to maintain a practising certificate.  Teachers registered subject to confirmation are expected to meet the Criteria to gain full registration unless they do not have sufficient opportunities in their teaching practice to be meaningfully assessed against the Criteria.

All schools and early childhood services should be using the Registered Teacher Criteria, including as part of teacher appraisal systems.

The Registered Teacher Criteria help promote quality teaching in Aotearoa New Zealand

The Registered Teacher Criteria are used for assessment of all teachers to gain and maintain 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. 

Support is available

Resources are available to help mentors, teachers and professional leaders use the Registered Teacher Criteria.

  • A set of Frequently Asked Questions has been developed. If your query is not covered by these please email inquiries@teacherscouncil.govt.nz.
  • Information and resources used in the workshops held throughout 2010 and 2011 to introduce the Criteria can be found here.
  • For specialist teachers, a supporting resource outlining how the Registered Teacher Criteria can be met is available here and a matrix showing some examples of how teachers in various specialist roles could meet the Criteria can be found here.

Background

The Council began a review of the Satisfactory Teacher Dimensions in October 2006, working with a reference group and writing group with the aim of reviewing, recasting and repositioning them in the sector. 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.

In 2010 the Council began phasing out the Satisfactory Teacher Dimensions and replacing them with the Registered Teacher Criteria as the standards for teacher registration.  From 2011 onwards, all provisionally registered teachers starting their first year of employment, teachers registered subject to confirmation and all fully registered teachers renewing their practising certificate will need to be meaningfully assessed against and meet the Registered Teacher Criteria to gain and maintain full registration.

To find out more about the overall project please refer to the Review of the Satisfactory Teacher Dimensions.