Politics of Teacher Education in NSW, Australia.

This paper examines political and government changes affecting higher education in Australia, particularly as they impact upon teacher education, and with specific emphasis upon practices in New South Wales (NSW). Structural features of the governance of education at the federal and state/territory levels are outlined, noting that teacher education is governed by the federal government, but teacher education graduates will ultimately be employed by state authorities. While school management has shifted from centralized authorities to the schools, there has been at the same time a more centralist policy in regard to curriculum and assessment. Actions which have been taken by teacher educators as a consequence of federal and state policies are discussed, such as formation of the New South Wales Teacher Education Conference and the Australian Directors of Teacher Education. Teacher educator participation in politics is supported as necessary given the current climate of educational reform and restructuring and the determinations by government for greater accountability of public institutions. The continuing challenge is to recognize the interdependence of all stakeholders while upholding the rights of faculties of education to remain independent within "autonomous" universities. An appendix contains "Terms of Reference for the NSW Ministerial Advisory Council on Teacher Education and the Quality of Teaching." (Contains 31 references.) (JDD) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ***********************************************************************