What is the motivation behind this new direction?

• It is important to the quality and purposes of Lutheran education that all of its teachers comprehend the spiritual and faith-led dimensions and intentions of its schools and are well equipped in a timely, sustainable and engaging way.
• Nationally there are expectations that teachers in all schools should engage in continuing education gaining Masters qualifications. This is an economically advantageous way for teachers in Lutheran schools to be able to meet these expectations.
• It is also hoped that with a more highly qualified teaching workforce, and within their process of higher education studies, a culture of classroom, school and system based research to inform the development of Lutheran education will be established.

What will change?

Very little in regard to At, Ac and Al except that the learning outcomes for what is now Pathways and Equip will now be more explicit and more formally assessed in a nationally moderated portfolio process. Some names of modules may change and overall aims and learning outcomes articulated.  There will be more explicit expectations to achieve greater uptake and timely completion and greater equity in support of schools to accomplish these goals.

Will the universities now teach Pathways and Equip?

No, the universities will not teach the formation and accreditation programs, they will merely accredit them as equivalent to university expectations and standards. The roles for teaching Pathways and Equip will not change.

Will the universities charge LEA to accredit the Graduate Certificate for Lutheran education?

No. LEA is endeavouring to secure an arrangement similar to that of the Catholic education office in Adelaide and Uni SA where the units attract Commonwealth government subsidy as work required learning. A number of other universities have been approached to credential Pathways and Equip into their Masters offerings.

Which universities have been approached and why these?

Four universities have been identified in the first instance. This may increase over time. Also once an Australian university accredits a program most other Australian universities will accept accreditation.

The universities are:

• University of Divinity through its member college, ALC.
• Australian Catholic University based on its involvement in the Leadership Development Program (LDP) with ALC.
• University of SA because of its current engagement with Catholic education in Adelaide.
• Flinders University because of its history of working with ALC’s Lutheran Strand initial teacher education
• Queensland University of Technology because of its current links to staff in the LEQ regional office.

I have one teacher who has only completed 1 or 2 modules of Equip.  Would you recommend a big push next year (bearing in mind that she teaches Prep) or wait until 2019 and use the new process?

This depends on the school budget and the teacher’s desire to continue their Equip journey. The teacher could complete four modules in 2018 and then complete the assessment task for the e-portfolio and receive the tertiary credentialing for one unit in a Grad Certificate or Masters in 2019.

The assessment requires that teachers provide evidence or demonstrate the learning outcomes.  It can be completed post attendance at Equip modules

I have teachers who were employed in 2017, require Ac and haven’t completed any Pathways or Equip. What do they need to do?

As they are already in employment they come under the existing Accreditation requirements. Ac requires completion of Pathways Spiritual and Equip. However, as they have not started their Equip journey and Equip will only be offered to teachers continuing their journey in 2018, these teachers would be encouraged (not required) to be involved in all aspects of Pathways as an interim learning opportunity.

Having completed Pathways by the end of 2018 these teachers may choose to complete the Pathways assessment in 2019 and possibly receive credit towards a tertiary unit. They would then commence the revised Equip in 2019 under the new expectations. Modules 1 and 2 will not be offered in 2018 to new CS teachers. New CS teachers will be supported by Christian Studies leaders in their schools.

I have a teacher who will finish her Equip journey next year but is interested in completing the assessment that would enable tertiary credentialing.

Teachers who complete Equip this year or next year will be able to complete the assessment for tertiary credentialing in 2019 should they choose to do so.

How will Christian Studies teachers who commence employment in 2018 be supported?

LEA and the regions will make available resources to support CS leaders who will induct and provide an orientation to Christian Studies for 2018 while they await the revised Equip to be offered in 2019. These teachers would be encouraged (not required) to be involved in all aspects of Pathways as an interim learning opportunity.  Having completed Pathways by the end of 2018 these teachers may choose to complete the Pathways assessment in 2019 and possibly receive credit towards a tertiary unit.