Higher standards for specialist science teacher training
Students training to become physics, chemistry, biology and environment science teachers must show a solid foundation in their core subjects and the HSC curriculum to teach in NSW schools.
The NSW Government is setting a new standard for excellence across STEM subjects by requiring universities to teach the specialist subjects during teacher training.
A teacher’s strong knowledge of their core subjects will improve student engagement and success in HSC science courses.
Education Minister Rob Stokes said teachers should be masters of the course content to instruct, inform and inspire students.
“These new standards mean the community can continue to have confidence that NSW teachers have deep discipline knowledge,” Mr Stokes said.
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) records teacher subject specialisations and lists them on teachers’ letter of accreditation.