Prospective teachers may soon have to meet stricter regulations and maintain higher HSC marks in order to qualify for employment in the state's public schools.
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A proposal tabled in the Upper House at the end of August would see ATARs of 70 or equivalent become the minimum to study teaching at university.
It will also require student teachers to maintain an average mark of 70 throughout their course.
Wagga-based member of the Legislative Council, Wes Fang, sits on the education committee in the Upper House and said the Measurement and Outcome-Based Funding in NSW Schools has a three-fold priority.
"[The inquiry] is looking at the mark you need to enter teacher training, the mark you can maintain throughout your training and the professional standards you keep after you've graduated," Mr Fang said.
"We want those who are achieving high ATARs to enter teaching [because] we want the best to be aspiring to teach."
Since 2016, the NSW Department of Education has required student teachers to meet the Initial Teacher Entry Standards, which includes a band 5 in English and two other subjects. A spokesperson said the regulations have been recently revised.
"Since 2019, students embarking on teacher education courses are required to seek approval to teach in NSW public schools by undertaking a range of assessments which holistically determine their suitability for teaching," the spokesperson said.
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The new requirements include minimum success standards at university, minimum time spent in hands-on teaching environments, as well as an interview to determine cognitive and emotional intelligence.
Graduating teachers also require an NSW Working With Children Check and NSW Education Standards (NESA) accreditation.
But, Riverina parent and education advocate, Greg Adamson disagrees that increasing HSC requirements will improve teaching standards.
"It's more important to make the position appealing to the best and brightest," Mr Adamson said.
"[Good teachers] show a willingness to work with children and help them achieve. That can't be measured by [their] high school results."
Mr Fang agreed that teachers are looking for "satisfaction, appreciation and scope for advancement which includes money and income".
"We need to move away from the idea that teachers aren't paid well. Good teachers are paid well. There are rewards but they have to be earned," Mr Fang said.
"What we don't want to see is a smart young teacher who works hard to provide a strong learning environment being denied advancement and a pay rise only because someone else has been there longer."