Towards a Restructured Secondary Teacher Education

Abstract

This paper explores catalysts and contexts leading to a restructuring of the secondary teacher education program at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst. The Dean of the Faculty of Education and the Head of the School of Teacher Education had been involved in discussions over a number of years about the unsatisfactory nature of the ‘Dip Ed’ (see Eltis, Meyenn and Parker, 1993). The dissatisfaction was exacerbated by surveys of, and interviews with, students and by the publication in early 1994 of Shaping the Future (Wiltshire Report). There was, too, the influence of overseas developments in teacher education, particularly those that reflected a determination to ensure schools, practising teachers and universities were working in partnerships to design, implement and evaluate more relevant programs. And just as significantly, there was the close association between the School of Teacher Education and one of the local secondary schools, Bathurst High School, which heralded the possibilities of a purposeful educational partnership.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jan Gerard'

Jan Gerard is principal of Bathurst High. She is particularly interested in enhancing the professional development of teachers and this underpins her interest in the concept of the professional development school. Bob Meyenn is a Professor of Education. He is Dean of the Faculty of Education at Charles Sturt University. Judith Parker is an Associate Professor and Head of the School of Teacher Education at Charles Sturt University. Judith Parker and Bob Meyenn are nationally known for the leadership they exercise in teacher education.