The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) commenced 1 January 2017, taking over where BOSTES left off.
On 19 December 2016, BOSTES Bulletin 49/16 indicated that the minister for education had approved changes to the manuals (Registered and Accredited Individual and Registration Systems and Member Non-Government Schools).
The changes relate to:
• replacing the good character requirement with a fit and proper person
• a new financial viability requirement
• a greater focus on the quality of teaching and student learning, and
• a risk based approach.
The manuals which underpin the work of schools are amended on a transitional basis to cover the period from 1 January 2017 until NESA meets in 2017 to either confirm the amendments or changes are sought.
Members undergoing NESA inspection in 2017 should refer closely to Bulletin 49 as the proformas to be utilised are available for perusal. IEU members often report that a NESA inspection is magnified (unnecessarily) to incorporate matters not sought by the Authority.
Importantly the NESA inspectors will be checking the support systems in place for beginning teachers seeking Proficient status.
These systems must be policy based and verifiable. A Standards based agreement places dual expectations on both the employer and the teacher engaging in NESA processes.
A new role, prime authorised delegate, is the term applied to that person delegated to make decisions regarding the accreditation of teachers.
IEU argued forcefully in 2016 when the TAA policy was under review that it was entirely inappropriate for an individual TAA to be able to suspend or revoke a teacher’s accreditation.
This position is reflected in the revised TAA arrangements and will improve outcomes for members considerably.
IEU has a position on the board of NESA and will continue to represent the work of teachers.