Many factors contribute to a student's academic performance, however, evidence strongly suggests that high-quality and effective teaching has the most influence and the greatest impact on student learning and achievement.
Research also demonstrates a link between school leadership and improved student learning and achievement. Leadership is second only to effective teaching among all school-related factors that contribute to students’ learning.
Nova Scotia Teaching Standards describe what teachers should know and be able to do to meet the learning needs of their students.
The teaching standards are designed to assist teachers in providing high-quality teaching for all students in all regions of the province. They provide a shared vision of high-quality teaching and a detailed description of the breadth and scope of teaching. They also provide teachers and the public with an overview of the complexity of teaching in today’s classrooms and the influential role that teachers play in educating the province’s children and youth.
The framework is comprised of six components of high-quality teaching. All six standards share a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusivity, and high expectations for all students. The six standards concisely state the main expectations of teachers and apply to all teachers, throughout all stages of their career. The indicators provide detailed information about the attributes, knowledge, and skills that are associated with each standard.
The six standards:
- Teachers know, respond to, and engage all students.
- Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach them.
- Teachers use ‘Assessment for and of Learning’ to guide teaching and learning.
- Teachers create safe and positive learning environments.
- Teachers participate in professional learning throughout their careers.
- Teachers model and promote professionalism in teaching.