“This model is not ‘performance pay’, this is about expanding the career options for teachers and keeping our best in the classroom,” she said.
loading
The NSW Teachers Federation is locked in a long-running pay dispute with the state government and its members have walked off the job three times in just over six months. Negotiations over an enterprise agreement are at a stalemate, with the federation calling for a pay rise of 5 per cent a year with an extra 2.5 per cent to recognize extra experience, as well as two more hours of planning time a week.
In a discussion paper to be debated at Friday’s meeting, the Commonwealth has described teacher shortages as unprecedented with demand for high school teachers set to outstrip graduates by about 4,100 in the next three years.
Earlier this month, federal Education Minister Jason Clare said chronic shortages of maths and science teachers were most acute in high schools.
The national Quality Initial Teacher Education Review report released earlier this year found that lifting top teacher pay by $30,000 would help attract high-achieving students who are avoiding a career in teaching because of its low status. About three per cent of high achievers choose teaching for their undergraduate studies, but the report found lifting pay would make students 13 percentage points more likely to choose to be a teacher.
Despite the NSW HALT program running for years, only 280 teachers have been accredited and many have avoided applying due to a complicated and expensive application processes.
Initial recommendations into the state’s higher paid teaching jobs are expected later this year in a NSW Department of Education policy paper.
Hattie, who led one of the world’s biggest studies into the factors which improve student learning, will give independent advice.
“The rewarding of excellence and expertise is the right topic to realize high standards and maximize positive impacts on students,” Professor Hattie said. “It is exciting to be part of these NSW discussions and I look forward to hearing the views of the profession.”
loading
Education program director at the Grattan Institute Jordana Hunter said research shows higher pay rates for expert teachers could be a powerful incentive for high-achieving school-leavers to choose teaching.
“High-achieving school-leavers are worried about the maximum pay rates at the pinnacle of their careers. If the government wants to attract the strongest applicants into teaching it will be important that pay rates keep pace with other professions,” Hunter said.
The Grattan Institute has previously recommended that two new expert teacher positions be created – instructional specialists and master teachers – with much higher salaries.
Hunter said the roles would be designed for expert teachers who can demonstrate exceptional subject-specific knowledge, skills and could mentor others. The jobs could pay between $40,000-$80,000 more than the highest pay rate for regular classroom teachers in NSW, she said.
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.