The much anticipated ACPPA research project is coming!

Over recent years ACPPA has been hearing from Principals across Australia about their concerns with both student teacher readiness and the connection with Universities in preparing these students effectively.

As a part of our commitment to all Principals across Australia to have a voice that is heard and acted upon, ACPPA has created a partnership with our two national Catholic universities to do a study around the following relevant topic in 2021.

The ACPPA National ITE project is underway.

                               

It is in collaboration with Australian Catholic University and the University of Notre Dame (with sponsorship from National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC), ACPPA seeks to explore Principal understanding and lived experience of initial teacher education training and program delivery.

The project uses survey tools and face to face focus group interviews (subject to COVID-19 health announcements) to gain insight about the efficacy of ITE and opportunities for enhancing educational performance and Principal engagement.

It seeks data and feedback to improve and refine the process to ensure student teachers are well prepared for working in school communities in a changing and dynamic environment. Areas for exploration include:

1. a) The day-to-day performance, activities, skill set and expectations of initial teachers.
2. b) The input primary school principals have on employment, training, mentoring, performance review and feedback for initial teachers.
3. c) Feedback from current primary school principals about the programs, offerings and value of tertiary education and training for initial teachers.

Project outcomes include:

• Potential to improve cross correlation – school sector with tertiary sector
• Opportunity to inform program improvement
• Increased front line input to ITE
• Opportunity to develop further pilot programs
• Build capacity in both sectors

Encouragement to Participate in both survey and focus groups

Proposed timeline

Indictive Project Timeline

The best outcome for the ACPPA members and the Universities is participation being extremely high. This is for both the online survey and the focus group sessions. We encourage members to take part in the project and a number of Diocesan Directors have shown interest in the project also.

This is a key and pivotal opportunity for our Association to share a clear and united voice as Australian Catholic Primary Principals on a topic which is fundamental to the advancement of our sector.

If you would like input about the project at a leadership meeting, Association meeting, Diocesan meeting or other event please contact me as soon as possible.