Ei-iE

The final amendments have just been made to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s 2013 Teaching and Learning International Survey, or ‘TALIS’ for short.

This is the second round of TALIS - the results of the first were published in 2008. What makes TALIS unique is that it is the only international study to be carried out on the views of teachers and principals on their professional development, job satisfaction, appraisal and attitudes to teaching and leadership. Compared to the 24 OECD and non OECD countries which took part in the 2008 TALIS, the 36 which are taking part in 2013 represents a major increase in country participation and also a major increase in TALIS’ importance to teachers and their organisations.

Given the importance of TALIS to teachers around the world and to the way in which countries shape teacher policies, Education International has made sure that its views are represented at the Board of countries overseeing TALIS. When TALIS started, through the Trade Union Advisory Committee, (TUAC), at OECD, EI set up a sub-group of EI affiliates. This group has made sure that teachers in participating countries had a voice in shaping the TALIS questionnaires.

The results of the last TALIS were interesting in that they highlighted the importance of teacher ‘self-efficacy’; a phrase which describes teacher self-confidence in making a difference to young people’s learning. There was however a concern that the original TALIS did not dig deep enough into the use and abuse of teacher appraisal by principals.

EI has stayed close to the development of the teacher and principal questionnaires for the TALIS 2013 round. It has secured a full participating presence on the TALIS Board and has worked hard consistently to make sure that teachers’ concerns have been reflected in the questions.

In fact, a number of key amendments were passed as a result of EI’s interventions. Probably the most significant changes took place around teacher appraisal where the questions have now shifted from a neutral approach to appraisal and feedback to seeking teachers’ positive views about what works for them. Other key changes included a greater focus on what works for teachers in professional development and a much more explicit focus on teacher views on student behaviour and discipline.

A number of countries have developed additional national questions including the US’s teacher unions which are deeply concerned about the damaging impact of testing on teacher time. Although it was too late for the 2013 TALIS cycle, it was agreed that the US proposal for questions on testing would go on the OECD TALIS website to invite other countries to include these questions.

There is always a debate about whether the results of international surveys will be used by governments against its teachers. Often it is not the results of the surveys themselves that are the problem but the selective and political use of results by governments.  In the case of TALIS, EI has made it a top priority to ensure that this does not take place. Many EI affiliates have also worked with their governments to make sure that the TALIS results are not misinterpreted. A number of affiliates are recommending that their members complete the questionnaires. Through its position on the TALIS Board, EI will be vigilant in ensuring that the report fully reflects teachers’ views.

John Bangs, Senior Consultant for Education International and Chair of the TUAC Education, Training and Employment Policy Working Group, says: "The most important point about TALIS 2013 is that its results should not be the sole property of governments. Since the survey is about teachers’ views the prime owners of TALIS should be teachers themselves and their unions so that the profession itself can create teacher policy. Engagement in TALIS is often the best way of making sure this happens.  EI stands ready to provide advice to affiliates on TALIS and its implementation."

The questionnaires will be distributed to schools in the October/November 2012 with the first questionnaires being distributed to countries in the southern hemisphere.

Countries that are participating in TALIS 2013

(OECD member countries) Australia, Belgium (Flanders), Canada,(Alberta), Czech Republic, Chile, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico. Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, USA, UK (England).

(Non OECD member countries) Abu Dhabi, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Latvia, Malaysia, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Shanghai.