Victoria University helping students with low ATAR scores study teaching
MELBOURNE universities are circumventing tough new rules that demand aspiring teachers be among the state’s best students.
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MELBOURNE universities are circumventing tough new rules that demand aspiring teachers be among the state’s best students.
Education Minister James Merlino upped the minimum ATAR for undergraduate teaching degrees to 65 this year and 70 from 2019.
It came after criticism that universities were churning out low-quality teachers.
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But Victoria University is exploiting a loop hole in the new standards by offering Bachelor of Education Studies degrees without a minimum standard.
Students then transfer to the tougher Bachelor of Education in second year.
Monash and Swinburne universities have diploma qualifications act as the same pathway.
Dr John Weldon, head of curriculum for the university’s first year college, said it was a chance for students to “have another go”.
“The ATAR is a very particular assessment tool — it focuses on one moment in time and it tests in one type of way,” he said.
“But to base the assessment of a whole person’s potential on that one metric is not broad enough.
“If we are going to close the door of university based on one metric, then I don’t think we are doing our job right.”
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Victoria University Bachelor of Education Studies student Stephanie Dossis, who scored an ATAR in the 50s, said students should not be locked out of courses based on the result.
“I’m passionate about becoming a teacher and a score shouldn’t define whether you are capable or not,” she said.
Universities often use pathways to slot students who didn’t achieve entry requirements into degrees, but many of the course do not have government-set standards like education.
Education Minister James Merlino said the minimum standards were “set for a reason”.
“No matter how you access a teaching degree, the standards are now much higher because of our reforms,” he said.
“We always said we wanted to raise the bar for those wanting to become a teacher to ensure we keep lifting standards in our classrooms.”
Australian Education Union Victorian president Meredith Peace said raising the entry requirements ensure the state’s future teachers were the best and brightest.
“We expect Victoria’s universities to ensure all future educators undergo rigorous training and testing to ensure the highest standards of teaching are met, regardless of the pathway into the teaching course,” she said.
“Teaching is a demanding career and we need people in the profession who are capable, passionate and committed.”
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