Most of us can remember the teacher who inspired us and who was fundamental to our learning and development. Most of us also recall experiences with less effective teachers. So it is not surprising that research consistently shows that quality teachers are the most significant influence on student performance.
With an excellent teacher, a student can achieve in half a year what would take a full year with a less effective teacher. And the impact is cumulative: over three years, students with effective teachers for several years in a row outperform students with poor teachers by as much as 50 percentage points.
That is why improving the quality of teachers and teaching should be central to education policy. Evaluating the work of teachers and developing their teaching skills is a key part of improving the quality of teaching. However, an OECD survey reveals that teacher evaluation and development in Australia among the worst in the developed world.