Providing public education

In 2019, 4,021 teachers completed components of the Graduate Teacher Professional Learning Program and 485 accessed individual support through the In‑Class Coaching component. All support is aligned to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

Level 3 Classroom Teachers are exemplary teachers recognised for their exceptional teaching practices who provide and support high quality teaching in schools. In 2019–20, 84 teachers achieved Level 3 Classroom Teacher status.

In 2019–20, 581 teachers became Senior Teachers – experienced teachers committed to high quality teaching and ongoing professional learning.

The Leap program continued to provide training in identified areas of need with a focus on secondary science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and primary languages. In 2019, 233 teachers undertook training, including 181 in STEM. See STEM for our other related initiatives.

Through the annual WA Education Awards, we acknowledged our public school teachers, leaders and support staff for their role in making a difference in the lives of students in Western Australia.

We supported 120 pre‑service teachers who undertook a practicum in a regional area in 2019 through an induction program; school visits that included classroom observations; coaching; and – for most – funding including access to stipends and travel allowances.

Of these, 81 pre-service teachers and school psychologists received financial support through our Country Practicum Program. Twenty-eight were supported financially through both the Professional Practice and Internships for Pre‑Service Teachers projects to undertake third year and final year practicums in rural and remote schools.

Through the Internships for Pre‑Service Teachers project, five high performing pre‑service teachers completing qualifications in subject areas of need were selected from Murdoch University to undertake an extended practicum in our secondary schools. They commenced their placements in Semester 1, 2020. The project aims to increase capacity and work readiness by delivering practical learning that integrates theory into classroom practice.

Thirty-five Teach For Australia associates commenced teaching in 11 country and 11 metropolitan secondary schools in 2020, joining the 45 associates in 23 schools in their second year of teaching. Associates are high calibre graduates willing to work in relatively disadvantaged schools for two years while also completing a Master of Teaching.

We continued to arrange and subsidise housing to attract and retain staff in our rural, regional and remote public schools. In 2019–20, $62.5 million was paid in rent for 2,055 properties occupied by our staff and owned or leased by Government Regional Officers’ Housing ($60 million for 2,042 properties in 2018–19). Of this, we subsidised 73% (71% in 2018–19).

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Teach in WA – Discover the rewards of rural teaching.

This video information is available as a text transcript.