TALIS Provides Evidence Teachers Care, Says Education International
MEDIA RELEASE PR35085
BRUSSELS, June 17 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Education International welcomes today's release of the OECD's first Teaching and Learning International
Survey (TALIS). As a consultative partner throughout the process, EI recognises the importance of this
research which, for the first time, sought the views of classroom teachers around the world about their
professional lives.
"The TALIS survey offers unique insights into the attitudes of teachers about their working conditions,
school leadership, professional development, collegial feedback and appraisal, and other important issues in
schools everywhere," said EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen.
He noted that the survey's vast data base offers impressive evidence of teachers' strong commitment to
their profession and dedication to their students. "Teachers do care," van Leeuwen said. "They have a deep
desire to provide quality education for all, and are willing to work hard to improve their skills to meet the
diverse needs of today's challenging student populations."
TALIS 2009 is the first in a series of comparative perspectives of teaching and learning conditions of lower
secondary teachers in public and private schools in 23 OECD member and partner countries. (Note: Important
OECD countries including the USA, Canada, France, Germany and the UK declined to participate in the
study.)
EI is positive about the findings, especially the emphasis on quality professional development. While 40% of
respondents reported a lack of professional development opportunities, the data clearly show that teachers
are eager for career-long learning. Indeed, many invest their own out-of-class time, energy, and personal
funds in professional development.
Van Leeuwen cautioned that education ministries must not use this evidence of teachers' willingness to pay
as a reason to cut funding. "It is still the responsibility of governments to invest in ongoing training for a
capable and highly-educated teaching force."
A key feature of the TALIS report is a highly individualistic approach to teachers' professional development.
"However, as teacher trade unionists, we know the value of learning together and we're concerned that TALIS
runs the risk of undermining collective strategies for school improvement," van Leeuwen said.
Another key concern about TALIS is the potential for linkage of teachers' professional development with
performance-based pay according to results of PISA, the OECD's large-scale study of student achievement,
he said.
"Facing the economic crisis, it is critical that governments invest in public education to build the knowledge
economy," van Leeuwen concluded. "That means investing in quality teachers."
For more information: Nancy Knickerbocker, EI Senior Coordinator, Communications +32-476-85-07-01 or
nancy.knickerbocker@ei-ie.org
SOURCE: Education International
__________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS 
