What does this descriptor look like at different levels?
Support student participation is the first descriptor of the fourth standard of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
See more: Australian Professional Standards for Teachers Terminology Explained
Graduate
What does it look like?
At the Graduate level, teachers are expected to recognize the importance of supporting student participation in the classroom and demonstrate basic skills in creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment.
As a Graduate teacher, you understand that student participation is crucial for active learning and academic growth. At this stage, you should be able to foster a positive and inclusive classroom atmosphere where all students feel comfortable participating. While you may have limited experience, you can begin to implement strategies that encourage active involvement from all learners.
What evidence can I collect?
To provide evidence for this descriptor, you can showcase:
- Classroom strategies: Implement various techniques to encourage student participation, such as think-pair-share, group discussions, or interactive activities.
- Inclusive practices: Demonstrate how you create a welcoming environment that encourages all students, including diverse learners, to participate in class activities.
- Reflections: Write reflective notes on the effectiveness of your strategies and any modifications you plan to make to enhance student engagement.
See more: Engagement: How do we know if our students are learning?
Proficient
What does it look like?
At the Proficient level, teachers are expected to employ a range of strategies to facilitate and support student participation, ensuring that all students have opportunities to contribute and engage in their learning actively.
As a Proficient teacher, you have developed a repertoire of strategies to support student participation effectively. You provide various avenues for students to engage in class discussions, share their ideas, and actively participate in their learning journey. Your focus is on creating an inclusive classroom culture that promotes equitable participation for all.
What evidence can I collect?
To demonstrate proficiency in supporting student participation, you can present evidence such as:
- Differentiated activities: Showcase how you design learning tasks and activities that cater to different learning styles and abilities, promoting broad student engagement.
- Student engagement data: Gather data on student participation levels and analyze how your strategies have positively impacted student involvement.
- Peer collaboration examples: Document instances where you facilitated peer-to-peer discussions and collaborative activities that encouraged student participation.
See more: High Teacher Expectations – What Does it Actually Mean?
Highly Accomplished
What does it look like?
At the Highly Accomplished level, teachers are expected to lead initiatives that foster a culture of active student participation across the school, collaborating with colleagues to continuously improve engagement strategies.
As a Highly Accomplished teacher, you go beyond the classroom to lead initiatives that promote student participation school-wide. You actively collaborate with other teachers to share best practices and innovative approaches, fostering a culture of active involvement in all aspects of student learning.
What evidence can I collect?
To showcase your highly accomplished level of supporting student participation, consider the following evidence:
- School-wide engagement projects: Provide documentation of initiatives you’ve led that involve multiple classes or year levels, emphasizing student participation and its impact on learning outcomes.
- Professional development contributions: Demonstrate your involvement in conducting workshops or training sessions for colleagues on effective student engagement strategies.
- Student feedback: Gather feedback from students on their experience of active participation in your class and how it has influenced their learning.
See more: Is it Worth Becoming a Highly Accomplished Teacher?
Lead
What does it look like?
At the Lead level, teachers are expected to drive systemic approaches to support student participation, collaborating with school leaders to embed engagement strategies into the school’s educational framework.
As a Lead Teacher, your focus is on systemic change and sustainable improvement in student participation. You collaborate with school leaders to integrate student engagement strategies into the school’s educational framework, ensuring that all teachers adopt effective practices that support active student involvement.
What evidence can I collect?
To demonstrate your leadership in supporting student participation, gather the following evidence:
- School-wide engagement policy: Provide documentation of your contributions to the development and implementation of a school-wide strategy or policy that prioritizes student participation.
- Classroom observation and feedback: Present feedback from colleagues and school leaders on how your strategies have influenced student engagement and the overall classroom climate.
- Student performance data: Showcase how the sustained implementation of engagement practices has positively impacted student academic performance and overall learning outcomes.
