Strengthening Induction through QTR
Support for the induction of your early career teachers
The National Teacher Workforce Action Plan sets out actions to address the teacher shortage, raise the value of the profession and improve outcomes. Expanding Quality Teaching Rounds was one of the 27 actions announced, building on compelling evidence of positive effects on teaching quality, teacher morale, teacher efficacy and student achievement.
Funded by the Australian Government, our project, ‘Strengthening Induction through QTR', aims to improve the morale, confidence, job satisfaction and retention of early career teachers across Australia.
The project will support 1,600 early career teachers and key colleagues from schools across Australia to take part in QTR between 2023 and 2026. All teachers involved will access a free QTR professional development workshop (valued at $880 per teacher) as well as a range of other implementation and mentoring supports.
Register your interest
After signing up for the project, teachers will participate in a QTR workshop and then conduct a set of 'Rounds' in their school. We are also asking teachers to participate in a series of surveys to help evaluate the project. The project outline is summarised in this document.
Compelling evidence of impact
Compelling evidence from our program of research demonstrates that participation in QTR improves teaching quality, teacher morale, teacher efficacy, and school culture. Most importantly, three randomised controlled trials have produced robust evidence of statistically significant positive effects on student achievement growth, of between two-to-three additional months, compared to a control group:
- in two subjects (maths and reading)
- in two stages (Years 3-4 and Years 5-6)
- in two states (NSW and Queensland)
- in two modes (face-to-face and fully online PD), and
- in an independent trial conducted by the University of Queensland.
You can find a full summary of our five-year program of research here, or explore our research papers here.
What is Quality Teaching Rounds?
Quality Teaching Rounds (QTR) is an approach to teacher professional development that involves teachers working in groups of four or more (known as Professional Learning Communities or PLCs) to observe and analyse each other’s teaching using the Quality Teaching Model.
During each of four one-day ‘Rounds,’ the PLC participates in discussion of a professional reading, one lesson observation, and one post-lesson discussion – during which the Quality Teaching Model is used to code, analyse and discuss the lesson and teaching more broadly.
Previous studies have shown that Quality Teaching Rounds professional development significantly improves teaching quality, teacher morale and student achievement.
Teachers and leaders talk about QTR 1:15
QTR is high impact professional development that makes a significant difference for teachers and students. Hear from teachers who have participated in QTR about their experiences.
Eligibility
This project is open to all Australian schools, across all states, territories and sectors.
Schools will form professional learning communities (PLC) of four teachers (schools can have multiple PLCs throughout the life of the project) to take part in QTR. Any number of teachers from your school can choose to participate in the research, however at least 50% of participants in a PLC must be early career teachers.
Schools only able to nominate two teachers (one early career teacher and one experienced teacher) can partner with another local school to form a PLC.
What is involved in the project?
All participating teachers will attend a two-day QTR workshop, either face-to-face or online. They will then participate in QTR in their school or via our QTR Digital platform for teachers participating across schools.
Teachers will be asked to complete six short online surveys, three before attending a QTR workshop and three after participating in QTR. A small number of schools (approximately 20%) will also be invited to take part in an online interview.
Schools will be invited to send a school leader and a teacher with responsibility for induction to a free online workshop designed to support the induction process.
How can your school take part in the project?
All Australian schools, where jurisdictional research approval has been provided, are able to take part in the project.
To secure your school’s place in this exciting initiative, please complete an expression of interest form or email the Project Manager, Ms Terina Vale, at QTR-Induction@newcastle.edu.au or phone (02) 4921 5053.
Register your interest today
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.