Teacher promotion

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Definition
Promotion is defined as ‘the permanent movement of an ongoing employee from one position to another position in the teaching service with a higher attainable maximum salary than the employee’s substantive position’ (Victoria State University, 2020). Teacher promotion criteria should always be transparent, equitable, standardized, and tailored to the post (ILO, 2012). Various promotion criteria exist, including qualifications, seniority or years of experience, and performance (ILO, 2012).

Usually, ‘teachers are promoted to new roles and titles based on their evaluation, with a salary rise attached.’ (IIEP-UNESCO, n.d.: 1). That evaluation criteria should be in line with ‘an appropriate level of difficulty according to teachers’ roles and responsibilities at the different stages of the career structure…criteria must be stringent enough to confirm teachers’ expectations of the value of moving to a higher position or salary level, yet also attainable so as not to discourage teachers from seeking professional advancement’ (Tournier et al., 2019: 15-16). Other aspects which should be considered regarding teacher promotion are the number of teachers promoted in each cycle, as well as the system used. With a norm-referenced system, only top performers are promoted. With a criterion-referenced system ‘all applicants who meet the criteria are promoted’ (Tournier et al., 2019: 15-16).

References
IIEP-UNESCO. n.d. Glossary. Paris: IIEP-UNESCO. Retrieved from: http://www.iiep.unesco.org/sites/default/files/teacher_career_glossary.pdf

ILO (International Labour Organization). 2012. Handbook of good human resources practices in the teaching profession. Geneva: ILO. Retrieved from: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—ed_dialogue/—sector/documents/publication/wcms_187793.pdf

Tournier, B.; Chimier, C.; Childress, D.; Raudonyte, I. 2019. Teacher career reforms: Learning from experience. Paris: IIEP-UNESCO. Retrieved from: http://www.iiep.unesco.org/en/publication/teacher-career-reforms-learning-experience

Victoria State University. 2020. Human resources: Transfer and Promotion – Teaching Service. Accessed 30 August 2021: https://education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/transferTS.aspx

To explore further
IIEP-UNESCO. n.d. Teacher careers. Accessed 23 August 2021: http://www.iiep.unesco.org/en/our-expertise/teacher-careers