Placements and LATs (or interstate equivalent) – 2024 Final Placements
In response to the workforce challenges being experienced in 2024, the Teacher Registration Board (TRB) has advised UTAS that it will allow additional school-based management of conflict of interest for Initial Teacher Education (ITE) students employed on a school-specific Limited Authority to Teacher (LAT) or interstate equivalent. It has been agreed that from commencement of Term 2, 2024 final year Initial Teacher Education students who hold a current school-specific LAT may undertake their final school experience placement in that same classroom where:
- Each school employing an ITE student on a LAT will provide a school-based supervising teacher, for the duration of the assessed placement, who has not previously supervised the student. Where schools are unable to mitigate a potential conflict of interest with the supervising teacher within the school, an external person should be utilised from another school or from within their system and UTAS notified of this arrangement.
- Practical strategies that enable the preservice teachers to experience professional growth in a range of situations will be put in place by the school. This should provide for the development of a breadth and depth of skills and be as diverse as practicable within the setting. These opportunities could include, but are not limited to, teaching a different subject, teaching a different grade level, providing for a variety of students with additional needs, working within a different learning area team, leading literacy, and numeracy support programs. These additional diverse experiences must be outlined in the initial application.
- The Graduate Teacher Performance Assessment (GTPA) is a national requirement completed over the entirety of the final placement with a minimum four-week teaching block. This teaching block occurs at designated times during each semester and the preservice teacher is to carry out data collection on their practice only during that time. As a nationally moderated assessment the GTPA’s parameters must be observed. Failure to do so will result in a failing grade for the placement. Schools are to support preservice teachers, where possible, in the week after the conclusion of placement to facilitate the completion and submission of the GTPA.
- School Assistant/Principals will sign off on interim and final reports, ensuring that the ITE student has been appropriately supported during the supervised placement and that the specific requirements of the GTPA are met.
- UTAS will provide a university-appointed mentor to support the school and ITE student during the placement window.
Please note that these arrangements are in place for 2024 only as the Tasmanian education sector addresses critical workforce shortages. It is our commitment as a School of Education to work in partnership with the sector to foster the excellence of our profession and we look forward to receiving feedback on this approach to placement later in the year.
Professional Experience is undertaken on a full-time basis, and the dates of the placement must be completed within the specified time outlined in the 2024 Professional Experience Calendar. The dates of placement may only be changed in exceptional, unplanned circumstances and require approval from the Coordinator, Professional Experience.
UTAS require an application to be completed by the student and the school. Please complete the application form via the relevant links outlined below.
Semester 1 placements:
To apply for a placement under these guidelines the school will need to fill out the School LAT Application Form by 12th April 2024.
In conjunction with this, the student will need to fill out the Student LAT Application Form by 12th April 2024.
Semester 2 placements:
To apply for a placement under these guidelines the school will need to fill out the School LAT Application Form by 26th July 2024.
In conjunction with this, the student will need to fill out the Student LAT Application Form by 26th July 2024.
