Assessment of professional practice

Assessment of a student teacher’s teaching on professional practice is based on the standards for the teaching profession.

Student teachers must satisfactorily meet the standards for teaching with support in order to graduate. This involves demonstrating competence for each of the standards at the level identified for each professional practice, and as evidenced in formal observations and written professional practice reports.

Key teaching practices (KTPs) have been developed, with our advisory committees, to describe what student teachers should be able to do and demonstrate for each of the six teaching standards. In addition, there are indicators for each key teaching practice that further elaborate specific practices. These are not a checklist but describe some things that associate/mentor teachers and student teachers can discuss and set goals around.

On each professional practice, student teachers are provided with feedback about their progress towards the standards and a professional practice report measuring progress against the standards. The key teaching practices, which are linked to the standards, form the basis for assessment.

Feedback and assessment are provided in these ways:

  • The associate/mentor teacher makes regular observations and provides feedback to the student teacher at a weekly formal meeting.
  • For primary and secondary student teachers, associate/mentor teachers complete weekly lesson observations using the key teaching practices as a basis for feedback. These are discussed at the weekly meeting.
  • Each student teacher will receive at least one observation visit from their kaiārahi or a visiting lecturer during PP placements (except for one-week placements).
  • Where the faculty believes the student teacher requires further support in meeting the standards, or where there are persistent concerns about their progress towards the standards, additional visits may be undertaken by kaiārahi or visiting lecturers and/or the programme director. Communication in relation to any additional visits will typically involve the student teacher, associate/mentor teacher, EPPPO staff, and kaiārahi or programme director.
  • Associate/mentor teachers provide a summative assessment of the student teacher’s teaching using the key teaching practices and drawing on feedback provided throughout the professional practice.