Victorian Universities face crackdown over low admission standards for teaching degrees
VICTORIAN universities face a government investigation after it emerged aspiring teachers were being admitted to education courses despite falling below minimum academic standards.
Education
Don't miss out on the headlines from Education . Followed categories will be added to My News.
EDUCATION Minister James Merlino has threatened a crackdown on universities that admit aspiring teachers to education courses with low school scores.
In a scathing letter to all Victorian universities, Mr Merlino warned an immediate investigation would probe any institution that had dodged the Government’s minimum standards, or pathway courses that “deliberately bypass” the reforms.
It comes after theSunday Herald Sun revealed universities in Victoria had accepted students into Initial Teaching Education courses with the lowest Australian Tertiary Admission Ranks (ATAR) in Australia this year.
ATAR ‘DUNCES’ LET INTO UNI TEACHING COURSES
VICTORIA’S MOST POPULAR UNI COURSES REVEALED
The lowest was Victoria University with ATARs of just 17.9, 19.8 and 21.3 out of a possible 99.95.
Tertiary admission centre data released through Senate Estimates revealed Federation University Australia, also in Victoria, accepted students with ATARs of 22.1, 23.6 and 24.3.
That was despite the State Government introducing a minimum benchmark of 65 this year, which will rise to 70 next year, in a bid to lift teaching standards.
In his letter, Mr Merlino said while universities could take special consideration into account to ensure fairness and equity, “the government will not accept admission practices and alternative pathways that counter the spirit and intent of the reform”.
“I will be extremely disappointed if indeed some universities are attempting to circumvent the
minimum ATAR standards,” Mr Merlino said.
“I trust this will not be the case, however if changes need to be made, we will make them through regulation.”
An investigation has been launched into all student admissions that fall below the minimum standards and pathway courses that sidestep the rules.
Victoria University this year introduced an Education Studies degree with no minimum standard where students can transfer to the Bachelor of Education in their second year.
Mr Merlino said the minimum standards were “introduced for a reason”.
“There were simply too many students entering teaching degrees with ATARs as low as 30 or 40 who could not be considered ready to undertake a rigorous teaching degree,” Mr Merlino said.
“This is not fair on schools, parents or students and it deters high quality candidates from pursuing a career in teaching.”
Urgent and active engagement from Vice-Chancellors, Deans of Education and Heads of Schools of Education has been called on to clarify current practises.
The Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) will conduct the probe, and will determine why data released to the Federal Government through Senate Estimates was “significantly different” to that provided by universities in a June audit.
RELATED CONTENT:
EVACUATION AFTER SCIENCE LAB CONTAMINATION
Which unis give you best odds of finding a job?
Nine out of 10 graduates from Victorian universities are working full-time three years after finishing their studies. See which are the top-ranked institutions for higher education in Victoria.
Your guide to schools around Dandenong
As more people move to Dandenong and Endeavour Hills, the need for secondary schools in the area grows. Here’s a comprehensive guide of each school you can send your child to, including the VCE scores, subjects and public transport options.