Attention graduate teachers: VIT answers your questions about the Inquiry process

The Inquiry process is the culmination of all the hard work that you've done moving from the graduate teacher level of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) to the proficient teacher level. The process is designed to demonstrate your proficiency, so it’s important not to start it until you and your mentor are satisfied that you're ready and you will be successful.

What support exists for teachers moving from provisional to full registration while there are disruptions to schools due to COVID-19?

The VIT understands the pandemic’s impact on teachers' ability to undertake their registration requirements. We remain committed to minimising the impacts of COVID-19 on teachers' registration requirements and want to reassure teachers we have made some changes to support them where possible.

Provisionally registered teachers who are unable to meet their professional practice requirements (80 days of teaching) and demonstrate proficiency against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) are encouraged to apply for a further grant of provisional registration (no more than three months before their expiry date) through their MyVIT account. This will provide them with more time to develop their practice and demonstrate their proficiency.

You can read more about how VIT is supporting teachers through the COVID-19 pandemic at www.vit.vic.edu.au/news/observation-practice-during-covid-19-pandemic and in our Frequently asked questions section.

What do I do if leadership is telling me to not do the Inquiry Process this year?

We would encourage you to have an open conversation with your workplace to better understand the reasons behind this decision and how to move forward. As a major part of the Inquiry process is to provide evidence against all of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST), those standards would be a helpful starting point for discussions. They can illustrate what area(s) of practice still need to be developed and assist both parties with developing a plan to address them.

How can casual relief teachers meet all the requirements to move to full registration?

The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) were developed with the broad range of teaching contexts in mind. They represent what all teachers need to know and do, and they can be met in many ways.

Some CRTs undertake the Inquiry process when they have a block of time at a workplace, so it is no different in approach to someone working full time with the same learners. Others work with the schools and services where they teach and develop Inquiry questions that can travel across classes. They choose focus areas that will allow them to gather evidence while still being able to deliver the lesson left by the classroom teacher. They work with their workplaces to ensure that the compulsory aspects of the process are completed at one or multiple schools or services and present their Inquiry to a workplace panel in the same manner as all other teachers.

It is important to remember that the Proficient teacher level of the APST is very much the practical implementation of the theory as described in the Graduate teacher level of the APST. All teachers need to demonstrate these national standards to assure the community that the profession is not only highly qualified, but also highly skilled. 

What kind of support should I be receiving from my school?

The approach that schools or services will take differs from workplace to workplace.  Happily, most workplaces understand the need to provide strong support for early career and returning teachers.

We have developed a range of resources to help employers support their provisionally registered teachers seeking (full) registration. These can be found at www.vit.vic.edu.au/employers/employer-resources

As an early career teacher, it is worth asking workplaces what supports they do have in place to ensure a supported induction into the profession for you.

What happens if I don’t move to full registration within my first two years of teaching?

Pandemic aside, we understand that there can be issues along the way that may impede your ability to complete the Inquiry process within the first two years. If that is the case, you can apply for another period of provisional registration which, if successful, will give you another two years. Every application for an additional period of provisional registration is decided on a case-by-case basis.

What is the best way to contact VIT for further advice and information?

The VIT has updated its website to make it easier for teachers to find the information they require. They can easily find a wealth of information via the newly refreshed dropdown menu or visit the Frequently Asked Questions section.

We have created a dedicated webpage for teachers looking to move to (full) registration where they can access and download a variety of resources. The most important of these resources is the Supporting Provisionally Registered Teachers Guide, which explains all of the details of the process and contains useful templates and checklists.

Teachers can also participate in one of VIT’s regular Provisionally Registered Teachers seminars and/or specific sessions for teachers working as CRTs. The Professional Practice Team has a dedicated mailbox to support teachers undertaking the Inquiry process, and we are very happy to answer your queries – prt@vit.vic.edu.au