Higher maths proposal for teacher training courses [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 20 January 2011
HIGHER Leaving Certificate maths results could be a prerequisite for embarking on teacher training courses, if proposals from the profession’s regulator body are adopted.
The suggestion from the Teaching Council that the entry level maths requirements should be raised is part of a draft policy it has circulated on teacher education."The council believes the time is now right for a thorough and fresh look at teacher education so as to ensure that tomorrow’s teachers are competent to meet the challenges that they face and are life-long learners, continually adapting over the course of their careers to enable them to support students’ learning," says the draft policy on the continuum of teacher education.
In line with reforms proposed by Education Minister Mary Coughlan, the council believes there should be greater focus on literacy and numeracy in initial teacher education and throughout teachers’ professional development.
It proposes a review of the entry requirements and selection procedures for teacher training degrees, including the possible use of aptitude tests and interviews, considering the significance of relevant experience and the standard of academic achievement needed.
"Having regard to the latter in particular, the council considers that the entry level maths requirement should be raised," it states.
For entry to the three-year bachelor of education (B Ed) degree held by most primary teachers, most colleges require school leavers to have a D3 or higher grade in ordinary or higher level Leaving Certificate maths. Applicants must also have at least a C in higher level Irish and, in English, they need at least either an ordinary level C or higher level D.
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