Daniel Andrews gets an F for teacher quality

Shadow Minister for Education, Nick Wakeling

Daniel Andrews and James Merlino’s proposal to establish minimum ATAR scores for teaching courses is a bandaid solution that will do little to lift teacher quality and improve student outcomes.

While ATARs are important, universities use a range of tools to select their teacher candidates, including interviews, portfolios and written applications.

Daniel Andrews must recognise that a high ATAR score alone will not result in smarter teachers in the classroom.

Unless Daniel Andrews is prepared to take a more holistic look at the teaching profession, including how to attract more talented individuals and the low retention rate of graduate teachers, Victorian children will continue to suffer.

Despite the fact the federal government has given Daniel Andrews billions of extra dollars for education, the latest NAPLAN results show that this has had almost no impact upon the literacy and numeracy standards of Victorian students.

The reality is that education quality is going backwards under Daniel Andrews and James Merlino.

Media contact:     Hannah Pandel   0409 234 530      hannah.pandel@parliament.vic.gov.au