Pilot for the mathematics development programme for teachers
The TDA is collaborating with the mathematics and education communities to pilot a continuing professional development (CPD) programme for teachers without a specialism in mathematics, who are deployed to teach the subject for some or all of their timetable to learners aged 11-19.
Teachers participating in the pilot programme, known as the mathematics development programme for teachers, will develop their subject knowledge and their subject-specific pedagogical skills over a period of up to 40 days. The programme will be tailored to the needs of each individual participant and will be spread over an academic year to minimise burden on teachers, schools and further education colleges. A flexible model of accreditation will enable participants to pursue H level accreditation (and M level credits in some cases) where desired.
The programme, which starts in June/July this year, is being piloted in three regions of the country but subject to evaluation, will become available nationally in 2009.
Liz Francis, Director of the Teachers Directorate at the TDA, said:
“The mathematics development programme for teachers will make a real difference to the teaching and learning of mathematics in secondary schools and FE colleges. The programme will display all the characteristics of effective continuing professional development (CPD), offering participants the opportunity to learn collaboratively over a sustained period, to reflect on their learning and to embed learning in practice. Every teacher participating in the programme will become a more confident and effective practitioner.”
The pilot programme will be delivered by Liverpool Hope University and the Universities of Brighton and Wolverhampton, and could potentially support teachers in over 60 local authorities. Recruitment is underway now.
Further information, including the contact details of the course providers, can be found at: www.tda.gov.uk/developingmaths or from the course providers direct at:
Marianne Cole, University of Brighton
m.l.cole@brighton.ac.uk
01273 643412
Christina Anderson, Liverpool Hope University
andersc@hope.ac.uk
0151 2913383
Sally Ingram, University of Wolverhampton
S.Ingram@wlv.ac.uk
01902 322821
For further information, visit: www.brighton.ac.uk/education/courses/maths_cpd_tda.htm or www.hope.ac.uk/education/ (following the link on the right of the home page) and www.wlv.ac.uk/sed/cpd (following the link for the mathematics development programme for teachers).
Notes to editors
The Secretary of State for Education and Skills asked the TDA to bring coherence to the occupation and professional standards throughout the school workforce; provide clear, high quality guidance to schools on CPD and give leadership to local authorities; monitor the quality and coverage of CPD and help shape national CPD strategy and priorities; and coordinate specific CPD programmes where appropriate.
The national priorities for teachers’ CPD were identified through consultation with the TDA’s National Reference Group for teachers’ professional development, comprising members from government bodies, teachers associations and unions, higher education institutions and other key partners. The overarching strategy and national priorities were agreed with the Rewards and Incentives Group (RIG).
In accepting the TDA’s advice of a strategy for CPD, Schools Minister Jim Knight set out three priorities areas to help teachers for the coming year:
- Special education needs and disability
- Curriculum reform, including implications of the secondary curriculum review; and
- Subject knowledge and pedagogy in English, mathematic and science, including enabling teachers to personalise teaching and improve progression.
The new teacher standards should be used as a backdrop to performance management discussions from September 2007.
The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) was established under the Education Act 2005. Its responsibilities relate to England only.
The TDA’s principal aim is to secure an effective school workforce that raises educational standards, provides every child with the opportunity to develop their potential and thereby improve children’s life chances.
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