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| Trainee teachers to face tougher entry tests | Trainee teachers to face tougher entry tests |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| By Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporter | By Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporter |
| Entry tests for people wanting to become teachers will be more rigorous to raise the quality and standing of the profession, the government says. | Entry tests for people wanting to become teachers will be more rigorous to raise the quality and standing of the profession, the government says. |
| Teacher trainees in England face tougher tests in English, mathematics and reasoning from next September. | Teacher trainees in England face tougher tests in English, mathematics and reasoning from next September. |
| They were developed by a panel of heads and experts following complaints current tests were too easy. | They were developed by a panel of heads and experts following complaints current tests were too easy. |
| Education Secretary Michael Gove says the "rigorous selection" of trainees is key to raising standards. | Education Secretary Michael Gove says the "rigorous selection" of trainees is key to raising standards. |
| He added: "These changes will mean that parents can be confident that we have the best teachers coming into our classrooms. | He added: "These changes will mean that parents can be confident that we have the best teachers coming into our classrooms. |
| "Above all, it will help ensure we raise standards in our schools and close the attainment gap between the rich and poor." | "Above all, it will help ensure we raise standards in our schools and close the attainment gap between the rich and poor." |
| Limited retakes | Limited retakes |
| The move follows a government-commissioned review by a panel of heads and educationists of the current skills tests for people wishing to become teachers. | The move follows a government-commissioned review by a panel of heads and educationists of the current skills tests for people wishing to become teachers. |
| The new exams replace simple arithmetic with more complex mathematical problems without the help of calculators. | The new exams replace simple arithmetic with more complex mathematical problems without the help of calculators. |
| And there will be longer written exercises rather than straightforward word identification. In English, as now, candidates will be tested on spelling, grammar and punctuation. | And there will be longer written exercises rather than straightforward word identification. In English, as now, candidates will be tested on spelling, grammar and punctuation. |
| There are also questions in verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning and the pass mark has been raised. | There are also questions in verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning and the pass mark has been raised. |
| But, perhaps most importantly, from September 2013 anyone wishing to train to be a teacher must pass these tests before attending a training course. Currently trainees sit these later on in their course. | But, perhaps most importantly, from September 2013 anyone wishing to train to be a teacher must pass these tests before attending a training course. Currently trainees sit these later on in their course. |
| Candidates will also be limited in the number of times they can retake the test, being allowed to sit it three times. Anyone who fails three attempts will not be allowed to take the test again for a further two years. | Candidates will also be limited in the number of times they can retake the test, being allowed to sit it three times. Anyone who fails three attempts will not be allowed to take the test again for a further two years. |
| The current tests were introduced between 2000 and 2003, amid concerns about the standard of teachers' literacy, numeracy and ICT. | The current tests were introduced between 2000 and 2003, amid concerns about the standard of teachers' literacy, numeracy and ICT. |
| The government says the plans are part of wider measures to raise the quality of teachers in England to match the best-performing countries in the world. | The government says the plans are part of wider measures to raise the quality of teachers in England to match the best-performing countries in the world. |
| Charlie Taylor, chief executive at the Teaching Agency, which is responsible for administering the new test, said it was part of his strategy "to create an outstanding workforce of teachers". | Charlie Taylor, chief executive at the Teaching Agency, which is responsible for administering the new test, said it was part of his strategy "to create an outstanding workforce of teachers". |
| "This is what parents expect and children deserve. | "This is what parents expect and children deserve. |
| "We also want teaching to be a real choice for top graduates and by raising the bar on entry, we will further raise the status of the profession." | "We also want teaching to be a real choice for top graduates and by raising the bar on entry, we will further raise the status of the profession." |
| Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said all teachers needed strong literacy skills and a good grasp of mathematics. | Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said all teachers needed strong literacy skills and a good grasp of mathematics. |
| "It is however surprising that Michael Gove is showing such interest in the entry requirements for teacher training courses, while at the same time advocating that schools should be free to employ unqualified teachers. | "It is however surprising that Michael Gove is showing such interest in the entry requirements for teacher training courses, while at the same time advocating that schools should be free to employ unqualified teachers. |
| "The real issue is the training and support that teachers are given once they have entered into teaching training." | "The real issue is the training and support that teachers are given once they have entered into teaching training." |
| Are you a teacher or training to be a teacher? What do you think about the introduction of tougher entry tests next September? You can contact us using the form below. |