Think Forward Educators supports Victoria’s new policy
Think Forward Educators supports the Victorian announcement on reading instruction and explicit teaching in government schools
The announcement from Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll on Thursday is welcomed by Think Forward Educators members who are pleased to see evidence-aligned instruction so strongly supported by policy leaders in Victoria. This is good news and a great first step in the right direction.
Think Forward Educators is a community of over 20,000 teachers and leaders using the science of learning and science of reading to implement best practice. Thousands of our members work in Victorian public schools. Most of these educators are already working to embed structured literacy and explicit teaching practices – and it’s working. Schools applying these principles are seeing improved student behaviour and wellbeing, better teacher retention and professional efficacy, and most importantly: improved learning outcomes. But so many of our schools have been pushing against the grain for years, without the support of our Department of Education. With the new announcement, many Victorian government schools feel relieved that they can now continue their research-informed work without concern for questions that might be raised by their line manager.
Think Forward Educators began in 2019 with a small group of teachers trying to find out for themselves about the evidence to inform the teaching of reading and writing. At that time, there were few system resources to support teachers who wanted to follow the scientific evidence that has existed for decades. Until now, what has been promoted by the Department of Education has often been at odds with this evidence.
The Deputy Premier’s announcement means that the teachers already embedding evidence-based teaching practices now feel empowered to continue on this path. Teacher members at an earlier stage of their own professional learning journey are heartened that they may now get more system support for improving instruction, instead of having to seek out evidence-based practices on their own.
There is a lot of excitement in our educator community, but we also know that this announcement is just the first step. Before there can be accountability for schools, the Victorian Department of Education needs to bolster research-aligned professional learning structures. Right now, the key Victorian advice and professional learning for educators still promote practices lacking sufficient evidence of impact, like the reader's workshop model of instruction.
Regarding mathematics, Think Forward Educators members are also concerned that the numeracy resources currently in development and professional learning on offer are largely based on the erroneous idea that maths cannot be explicitly taught and practised, and push the questionable view that students must instead experience “productive struggle” to learn. Leaders in Victorian government schools also report that their regional leaders do not always have the most up-to-date knowledge of the evidence base in mathematics as well as reading and writing.
Despite these immediate challenges, Think Forward Educators members are optimistic about the future of teaching and learning in Victoria based on the Deputy Premier’s announcement. Our teachers and leaders have been waiting a long time for this, and we are steadfast in our work to further embed effective teaching practices in our own schools. We also look forward to contributing to the advancement of best practice with schools across the Victorian education system - to raise educational equity and excellence for all children.
Quotes attributable to Chair of Think Forward Educators, Dr Nathaniel Swain:
“Thousands of forward-thinking teachers and leaders have worked tirelessly over the past ten years to align their teaching practice with the science of how we learn. We are heartened that Mr Carroll’s announcement provides the platform for system-wide improvement we have been waiting for.”
“There is considerable work ahead to transform Victoria’s schools in line with the learning sciences. The clear message sent by the Minister of Education gives permission for all teachers and principals to seek out best practice and advance equity and excellence for all students.”
Quotes attributable to CEO of Think Forward Educators, Katie Roberts-Hull:
“It is important to build on the work of schools that have already implemented evidence-aligned practices and achieved outstanding student learning outcomes. This announcement honours the work of the teachers and leaders in these schools. We hope that the Department will utilise these excellent educators to support other schools making instructional changes.”