Pre-decision audits

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Throughout the year, we randomly audit accreditation recommendations as part of our quality assurance program. This program includes auditing Proficient Teacher applications before we make accreditation decisions.

What pre-decision audits involve

We randomly select Proficient Teacher applications before making an accreditation decision. We then determine whether the applications meet accreditation requirements, including that:

the documentary evidence of practice is in line with the Proficient Teacher Standard Descriptors
the Observation Report of the teacher’s practice is aligned to their nominated Standard Descriptors
feedback and support are provided to teachers whose teaching practice is not consistent with the Standards before the end of their accreditation timeframe.

Audit findings do not restrict teachers from teaching

Past audits indicate that the vast majority of the selected samples demonstrate practice at Proficient Teacher.

Following a pre-decision audit, we notify principals and teachers of the outcome. If our audit finds that a teacher has not met the requirements for Proficient Teacher accreditation, they will need to revise and resubmit their application. However, this resubmission will not affect their ability to teach.

We work closely with teachers who need to resubmit and support them to meet the requirements of Proficient Teacher accreditation.

Audit criteria

When auditing Proficient Teacher applications before making a decision, we look at the following criteria:

the submitted documentary evidence accurately reflects the practice described in the selected Proficient Teacher Standard Descriptors
application of practice at Proficient Teacher is visible in the documentary evidence
Examples of the impact of practice on student/child learning are included in the collection of documentary evidence 
annotations clearly explain how the documentary evidence demonstrates the practice described in the selected Standard Descriptors 
annotations clearly explain how the practice impacted on student/child learning relevant to the selected Standard Descriptors. 
examples of professional reflection are included in the collection of documentary evidence and/or the annotation(s). 
the observation report describes practice against the selected Proficient Teacher Standard Descriptors.

The role of principals and service directors

Principals and service directors are best placed to make a professional judgement on a teacher’s practice against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (the Standards). The recommendations of principals and service directors are crucial as we base most of our accreditation decisions on them.

The knowledge and understanding of each teacher’s practice that principals and service directors hold is vital in helping teachers should they need to resubmit their application. We strongly encourage discussing our feedback with teachers and their Accreditation Supervisor.

Our past audits have found that teachers often need the most support with:

annotations that clearly explain how the documentary evidence demonstrates the practice described in the selected Standard Descriptors
where examples of the impact of their practice on student/child learning are included in the collection of documentary evidence.

Our research on characteristics of effective documentary evidence helped establish a benchmark for practice at Proficient Teacher. This research may help you in supporting your teachers.

Audits ensure consistent and reliable decisions

We want to ensure that our accreditation decisions are consistent, align with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and comply with the NSW Teachers Accreditation Manual.

Our pre-decision audits also form part of a broader quality assurance program, going hand-in-hand with our risk-based audits of selected records and quarterly audits of stratified random samples.
This program better supports principals and service directors through:

the development of updated resources and advice to support accreditation
improving the consistency of accreditation recommendations and maintenance of accreditation attestations
enhancing our monitoring processes to ensure schools/services meet their accreditation requirements.

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