Referees
Referees play an important role in supporting an applicant to achieve the Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher (HALT) levels of accreditation. Find out what the steps are for referees to provide comments on behalf of a HALT candidate.
Who can be a referee
Applicants nominate referees who can both:
- give first-hand knowledge of the applicant's practice in a NSW school or service
- verify the applicant's documentary evidence.
As a referee, a HALT assessor will ask you to cite specific examples of the applicant’s practice. The assessor will check whether it meets the Standard Descriptors that the applicant has nominated.
Referees do not:
- advocate for the applicant
- provide a character reference.
Evaluating an applicant
Once you agree to be a referee, you will be asked to take part in the process of evaluating the applicant.
The applicant identifies the Standard Descriptors they will be evaluated on
The applicant identifies between 1 and 4 Standard Descriptors from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (the Standards) for evaluation. You comment on the applicant's practice based on the Standard Descriptors.
Understand and reflect on the Standard Descriptors
Make sure that you understand the Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher Standard Descriptors chosen by the applicant. You should reflect on your knowledge of the applicant's practice.
The applicant submits your details
In their evidence module, the applicant submits:
- your contact details
- the details of your professional relationship.
The Assessor contacts you
In a phone or video conference call, the HALT Assessor will ask you to:
- verify that the applicant can show documentary evidence for their Standard Descriptors
- comment on the applicant’s practice in relation to the Standard Descriptors.
The Assessor makes their report
The HALT Assessor includes a record of your evaluative comments in the HALT Module Report.