Low grades for casual teachers in NSW schools

http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/low-grades-for-casual-teachers-in-nsw-schools-20131004-2uyct.html

The article “low grades for casual teachers in NSW schools” by Anna Patty has questioned the quality of casual teachers who carry up to 10 per cent of the teaching load at public school. In the past several years, the shortage of casual teacher had left some schools unable to supervise their classes. In 2003, the department of Education established a call centre to reduce the short notice of the casual teachers in government school.  While the short notice of the casual teacher has been improved, a survey of school principals has found the teaching quality of the casual teachers was a concern. “Schools that were unhappy with a casual teacher’s performance did not re-hire them. However, those low grade casual teachers were sent to other school. One quarter of the casual teachers registered by the call centre has not worked recently and some are no longer seeking casual work.” (Anna, 2013)

According to Ken, “the quality of teaching and learning provision is by far the most salient influences on students’ cognitive, affective and behavioural outcomes of schooling—regardless of their gender or background.”(Ken, 2003) Teaching quality is the critical factor that affecting the student’s experiences of school and their educational outcomes of schooling.I am doing my professional engagement in this year, and I observed the difference between a low grade casual teacher and a highly professional casual teacher. Based on my observation, I found the difference between the low grade casual teacher and the highly professional casual teacher falls into three categories: unprepared, responsible and experienced. 

A well prepared teacher whom arrives early at school, spend some time to prepare for the class such as read through the class teacher’s lesson plan and have work sheet ready. For teachers who arrive unprepared and unorganized will found themselves without any progression from their students. For example, a casual teacher I observed last week, whom just hand out the work sheet from the class teacher without introduce himself and any instruction.A responsible casual teacher will guide students and improve the student’s knowledge in whatever area they teach. They follow the classroom teacher’s lesson plan and work hard to possibly change the lives of their students on their casual time. A low grade teacher doesn't feel responsible for students. They just spend their time at school and wait to leave at 3:15 with their pay-check. A highly professional teacher is often the teacher who had many years’ experience and continues to update their own education. Having a degree in teaching doesn't mean professional in teaching. Without further training or adaptation of the changing nature of students will found themselves fail to engage and motivate students to learn and participate in class activities.

I have seen the difference between a highly professional casual teacher and a low grade casual teacher on my professional engagement. And have noted the different behavior of their students.  It is obvious to see the students follow instructions and respect to the teacher who are prepared, responsible and experienced. The low grade casual teacher should be removed from the Department of Education’s register. It is time to focus on providing quality casual teachers. 

Reference:

http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/low-grades-for-casual-teachers-in-nsw-schools-20131004-2uyct.html

Ken, R. (2003). The importance of Teacher Quality as a Key Determinant of Students' Experiences and Outcomes of Schooling.  Background paper to keynote address presented at the ACER Research Conference. Melbourne.