Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is trialling the training of high performing student teachers for positions in disadvantaged schools.
The pilot project, Exceptional Teachers for Disadvantaged Schools, involves giving 27 third-year education students extra skills for teaching in low socio-economic primary and high schools.
QUT senior lecturer Bruce Burnett said the pilot was aimed at addressing the question: "How do we get these exceptional students into schools where they can make the most difference?"
Dr Burnett said each year exceptional education students graduated from QUT as trainee teachers.
"'They stand out from the crowd," he said. "They're engaging and they engage with the topic, and that usually translates into a level of academic excellence."
But Dr Burnett said it was unknown which schools these high performing students eventually taught in.
"We suspect they are snapped up by the private school system or by urban state schools," he said.
Dr Burnett and fellow senior lecturer Dr Jo Lampert, both of the School of Cultural and Language Studies, came up with the idea of identifying students with a Grade Point Average of 6 and above, from the third-year education cohort of more than 500 students, and then preparing them to teach in low SES schools.
A group of 27 students, who were keen to take part in the pilot project, will do their practicum in five schools in Brisbane and other regions, identified by the Federal Government as disadvantaged.
"We give them theory and knowledge in tutorials and then they go out and do their practicum in schools," Dr Lampert said.
"They will also come back to QUT for a series of special workshops and information sessions after the practicum."
At the same time, Dr Burnett and Dr Lampert will conduct research to fine-tune the identification and future needs of teachers for disadvantaged communities.
"Although we have identified them this time on the strength of the GPA, we are aware that is only one of many attributes," Dr Burnett said. "Our research will try to identify those other attributes."
The pilot training program aims to promote the student teachers' resilience, support networks and knowledge of curriculum and pedagogy, as well as increase students' understanding of issues such as poverty before they become graduate teachers.
"Historically, disadvantaged schools have had the least experienced teachers and the fastest turnover," Dr Lampert said.
The aim was to develop a "sustainable transferable model of teacher education for disadvantaged schools".
Such a model could then be embedded in the mainstream with a view to improving academic results and overall quality of teaching in other disadvantaged schools, in line with Federal and State Government funding objectives.
Media contact: Elizabeth Allen, QUT media officer, on 3138 4494 or e1.allen@qut.edu.au
*A high res pic is available of two of the student teachers taking part in the pilot, and of Dr Burnett and Dr Lampert.
*Students are available for interview.
