E2 Learning and Development

In 2013-14, school networks received $2,000,000 to support 17 network and school based learning and development projects. This funding was in addition to ongoing funding provided to schools for professional development. Projects included school based professional learning and action learning; network projects across a number of schools or all schools in the network; and across network whole of system initiatives such as the Principals as Literacy Leaders program.

Funding was also available through the Teachers Professional Learning Fund (TPLF) and the Principals Professional Learning Fund (PPLF) to support a range of professional learning opportunities.

In 2013-14, the Professional Learning and Events Calendar had 358 registered events for professional learning and training with a total enrolment of 8,334 attendees. This was an increase of 97 events and 675 participants from 2012-13.

Examples of Professional Learning facilitated or delivered by the Directorate in 2013-14 included ACT Teacher Scholarship Program, a conference for administrative and support staff, Professional Learning Forums for English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD) teachers and Literacy and Numeracy Coordinators, and online learning opportunities.

TPLF expenditure (including Teacher Scholarship commitments) was $1,891,067. PPLF expenditure was $154,782.

Accredited Professional Learning Programs

In 2014, following the introduction of teacher registration, the Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) started accrediting professional learning programs. This enabled teachers to achieve a mandated 20 hours of professional learning to maintain their registration in the ACT.

Of the 20 hours, there was a requirement that teachers reflect on a minimum of five hours accredited professional learning.

Central Office staff managed the submission process for all centrally provided professional learning programs for accreditation, and schools or school clusters managed the submission process for locally developed professional learning programs.

Across the Directorate, 134 professional learning programs were accredited in 2014. Of these, 40 were submitted by central office and 98 by schools or clusters of schools.

School Leadership Professional Learning

Following feedback from the 2013 Leadership Conference and consultation with school leaders, a decision was made for the Leadership Conferences to become a biennial event. The next conference will be held in 2015.

A Leadership and Management Series provided professional learning opportunities and networking for school leaders throughout 2013-14. This series consisted of four Leadership Forums held once a term; professional learning events with guest presenters including Dylan Wiliam, Lyn Sharratt and Dame Pat Collarbone;  and management workshops on areas such as human resources, new principal orientation and governance and assurance.

ACT Teacher Scholarship Program

The ACT Teacher scholarship program continued to support teachers' lifelong learning in 2013-14. Priority areas for study were:

• English as an Additional Language/Dialect;
• Early Childhood Education; and
• Teacher Librarianship.

A summary of the scholarships awarded in 2013-14 is provided in Table E2.1.

Table E2.1 Scholarships awarded, 2013-14

Source: Education and Training Directorate

Induction

Significant remodelling of induction processes for new staff was undertaken in 2014 to address the quality of information provided to new staff to the Directorate. In 2014, the induction of new staff took place through three phases:

• Director-General welcome address which delivered key messages to outline the strategic priorities for the year ahead;
• mandatory online training modules to provide essential information to new staff to meet legal compliance requirements; and

school-based induction which built on the quality work developed by the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership and recognised that continued professional growth is developed through a strong performance culture in schools that targets staff support and learning needs.

Online Training

Each year teachers and school leaders must complete training in mandatory reporting, teacher's code of professional practice, workplace bullying and workplace health and safety. In 2014, this training was available online for the first time. These modules were introduced as part of the induction program for teachers new to the Directorate and then opened up to all teachers. School leaders could choose to present the information at school professional learning sessions or direct staff to the online portal where they could complete the modules.

Table E2.2: Online training, 2013-14

Source: Education and Training Directorate

There was a positive uptake and significant engagement across the Directorate with the online modules as part of the induction process. Of particular interest was the uptake of the online training modules across all schools for all staff. This process established the use of online training modules as a way of engaging all staff in mandatory training opportunities to meet Directorate compliance requirements.

Career Development for Administrative and Support Staff

Training and professional development was offered in-house and through outside providers such as the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT). Professional learning programs were offered in areas such as information and communication technology, safety training, administration, management and education support.

In 2013-14, traineeships were offered in education support and children's services. These traineeships were offered to learning support assistants and preschool assistants.

Table E2.3 provides information on the traineeship opportunities offered and completed by administrative and support staff in 2013-14. The total cost of the traineeships was $16,500.

Table E2.3: Traineeship opportunities, 2013-14

Source: Education and Training Directorate

In 2013-14, 10 training courses in work safety were made available to building services officers. The courses included: work safely at heights; asbestos awareness training; safe handling of sharps and infectious waste; chemicals handling; and RED training. Table E2.4 below shows 2013-14 completion rates.

Table E2.4: Completion rates, 2013-14

Source: Education and Training Directorate

Training programs were made available to Directorate staff through the ACT Public Service Training Calendar. Student assistance was available to Directorate staff through grants and time allowance. The number of participants and the associated cost is shown below.

Table E2.5: Participants and cost for ACTPS training and study assistance program, 2013-14

Source: Education and Training Directorate

Whole of government learning and development initiatives are listed below.

Table E2.6: Whole of government learning and development programs, 2013-14

Source: Education and Training Directorate

For further information contact:
Director
People and Performance
(02) 6205 9202