The Minister for Education, the Hon. MP Adrian Piccoli has announced the introduction of literacy and numeracy tests for teacher education students and the release of a framework for coordinating the professional experience these students undertake in NSW schools.

NSW teacher education providers will conduct the trial of the online literacy and numeracy tests this year and the tests will be available in 2015. From 2016, all teacher education students will need to pass the tests before they undertake their final practicum.

The professional experience framework sets out how schools, school systems and universities can work together to improve the quality of professional experience placements. The Framework includes:

• Best practice guidelines for teachers, teacher educators and teacher education students
• An evidence guide for supervising teachers
• A common report template
• A statement of common roles and responsibilities
• Data exchange guidelines.

These initiatives are being implemented as part of the NSW Government's Great Teacher, Inspired Learning (GTIL) reforms, which are continuing to strengthen the quality of teaching in NSW.

For further information:

• read the media release
• download the Professional Experience Framework
• visit the GTIL website.

For more information, contact:
GTIL
gtil@nswteachers.nsw.edu.au
1300 739 338