The University of Stirling has outlined the challenges raised by the Donaldson Review of Teacher Education in Scotland, commissioned by the Scottish Government, which is published today.
Professor Richard Edwards, Head of the School of Education, commented: “The report throws down a gauntlet to all those involved in teacher education. It is one we at the University of Stirling are happy to pick up. Many of the recommendations within it support practices we already use within our concurrent degrees and certificated continuous professional development provision.
“There will be many challenges ahead, not least those caused by the reduction in funding to universities recently announced by the Scottish Government. However, we look forward to working with other stakeholders in teacher education to establish how best to support the ambitious aspirations for Scottish education that are articulated within the report.”
He said that, while the University’s School of Education welcomes the breadth of vision in the report, which contrasts favourably with the approach being taken in England, it also recognises the challenges. In particular:
· The broad view of teacher education in supporting teaching as a profession and not simply a craft;
· The proposal for greater coherence in career long learning for educators in schools;
· The central role identified for all academic departments in universities and the role of research in supporting teacher education across the span of people’s careers;
· The proposals for enhanced partnership between universities, schools and local authorities to support career long learning.
Notes to editors
The University of Stirling’s School of Education is a prominent research centre at the forefront of education and educational thinking, offering a wide range of research and consultancy services.
It was rated number 1 in Scotland for the quality of its research in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. It is currently rated number 1 in Scotland for the quality of its research in education by The Complete University Guide; The Times Good University Guide; The Guardian University Guide; the Times Higher Table of Excellence and Research Fortnight quality ratings.
Richard Edwards is Professor of Education and Head of the School of Education. Prior to joining the University in 2001, he was Reader in Education (Lifelong Learning) at the Open University, UK, where he was involved in producing distance learning courses for those interested in post-compulsory education and training. He has researched and written extensively on many aspects of lifelong learning.
To read the Review in full, click on: www.reviewofteachereducationinscotland.org.uk/index.asp
To find out more about the School of Education, click on: www.ioe.stir.ac.uk/
For further information, please email Professor Richard Edwards at: r.g.edwards@stir.ac.uk