Aboriginal Education Specialist Teacher Program

Description

The Aboriginal Education Specialist Teacher (AEST) Program is a culturally inclusive and collaborative program to enhance literacy and numeracy outcomes for Aboriginal students.

Key Benefits/Outcomes

Aboriginal students in Years 3-7 in target schools achieve comparable outcomes in literacy and numeracy to non-Aboriginal students.
Provision of professional learning by Aboriginal Education and Training Directorate on information pertinent to the specialist role including Culturally Inclusive Curricula, Cultural Awareness and other Aboriginal Education focus areas.

Links to other Projects/Partners

The Role of the Aboriginal Education Specialist Teacher

Provide professional leadership for teachers and support staff of Years 3—7 Aboriginal students at educational risk in the areas of literacy and numeracy;
Assist teachers to identify, plan, monitor and report on the literacy and numeracy skills of Years 3 -7 Aboriginal students at educational risk;
Work in partnership with Aboriginal and Islander Education Officers (AIEO) to facilitate greater Aboriginal parent and community participation in the school;
Facilitate the introduction or development of culturally appropriate and relevant content and inclusive teaching and learning processes across the curriculum; and
Manage specific Aboriginal Education programs within the school.

Allocation of the Aboriginal Education Specialist Teacher FTE to schools

Allocation of the AESTs is done by the District Director and is based on several criteria which include:

A high number of Aboriginal students at educational risk in the targeted year levels;
A Getting it Right Literacy and Numeracy Strategy operating in the schools;
The level of need for teacher support in the targeted year levels;
A commitment from schools to provide an experienced, merit selected teacher in the AEST role;
A commitment from schools to meet the AEST FTE with an FTE of an equivalent or greater amount; and
A commitment from the school to set achievement targets for Aboriginal students at educational risk in order to measure an increase in skills and abilities.

AESTs are usually placed in a school for a four year tenure. An AEST must be a senior or experienced teacher who is able to support learning and best teaching practice for Aboriginal students and provide leadership in the area of Aboriginal education. The teacher is appointed through a merit selection process from staff within the school.

Professional learning is delivered by the Standards and Moderation Directorate through the Getting it Right Literacy and Numeracy Strategy and is completed over a period of two years. The Aboriginal Education and Training Directorate provides the funding for AESTs to access professional learning.

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