Phono-Graphix in Australia
In December of 2005 the Australian Department of Education, Science,
and Training released a report on its inquiry into the teaching of literacy.
In its summary, the report cites, among others, a study by Linda
Darling-Hammond of Stanford University which says that the effect
of poor quality teaching on student outcomes is debilitating and cumulative.
... The effects of quality teaching on educational outcomes are greater than
those that arise from students’ backgrounds. ... A reliance on curriculum standards
and statewide assessment strategies without paying due attention to teacher quality
appears to be insufficient to gain the improvements in student outcomes sought. ...
The quality of teacher education and teaching appear to be more strongly related to
student achievement than class sizes, overall spending levels or teacher salaries (
Darling-Hammond, 2000, p. 3).
The report concludes with these words of encouragement for teachers.
"For the sake of Australia's students and teachers, let alone its social
and economic future (or those of any nation), the enduring hope is that
current emphases on the importance of quality teaching and teacher quality
that continue to be granted strong support by the Australian Government,
will be evident in the reality of major improvements to teacher professionalism
and students’ learning, behaviour, health and wellbeing outcomes. But such
reality will not be realised until teachers are at least in receipt of quality
pre-service education and in-service professional development."
Laying the responsibility at the feet of the practitioner, it's no surpise
that the report led to various state inquiries as to how teacher efficacy
could be boosted, and exactly which 'professional development' might best
facilitate that.
In February of 2006 the Menzies Research Institute commenced a study, funded
by the Department of Education best practice. Two teachers were trained on
the Phono-Graphix online certification course. The teachers worked in groups
with 30 students. The results of the study have given hundreds of Australian
teachers the confidence, and funding, to embark upon the Phono-Graphix online course.
Thank you letter from Menzie teachers.
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