Teacher Knowledge, Education Studies and Advanced Skills Credentials

Abstract

It is argued that appraisal of advanced skills in teaching should be based on the pedagogical content knowledge which good teachers, in biology for instance, could be expected to possess and which a well-trained biologist would not. Public acceptance of this claim is the key element in any argued case for a career restructuring which rewards the development of teaching expertise in schools and universities. Several initial schemes employed in Victoria for appraisal of Advanced Skills Teacher 1 are critically examined. An alternative to the competency-based approaches is presented, founded on research into the development of practical reasoning of teachers.