For and against teacher standards

Is it possible to rank VET teachers’ skills and knowledge, asks John Mitchell.

There are moves afoot to define teaching standards for all school teachers in Australia, so the question follows as to whether standards can be set for VET practitioners. The Australian reported on 24 February that national professional standards for teachers are soon to be released, detailing teaching standards in three main areas: professional knowledge (what is taught), professional practice (how it is taught), and professional engagement (involvement in the school and ongoing education). The standards are the first step in "a planned uniform system of teacher accreditation and...