New Ideas for Teacher Education: Bayreuth University Vice President Led Expert Panel

The commission’s mandate was to develop science-based proposals for improving the structure of teacher education in Bavaria. "All members of the expert panel shared the commitment to further develop the training of our teachers, in order to keep this vital profession attractive in a rapidly changing world," says Huber. He adds: "Teacher training and the teaching profession are attractive to young people when they feel thoroughly and adequately prepared for the growing challenges of the job, enabling them to act professionally in everyday school life."

The report is titled: "Teacher Education for the 21st Century: Attractiveness and Quality through Professional Relevance and Scientific Orientation." A consistent and reciprocal connection between science and professional practice is achieved through a model of cumulative competence development, which is closely aligned with Core Practices of the teaching profession. Core Practices are professional action strategies based on subject knowledge that help students understand why specific knowledge is taught and acquired at a particular point. At the same time, Core Practices serve as a higher education didactic principle that allows subject knowledge and reflective practical experience to be integrated into studies from the beginning in increasingly complex forms.

Over 16 months, the expert panel held five multi-day working sessions and invited additional experts for topic-specific input. Key thematic areas addressed within the framework of a proposed “Master Plan for Teacher Education” include the systematic preparation of students for inclusive education in heterogeneous classrooms and a closer integration of university studies and the preparatory service (Referendariat) through a jointly managed phase. Pilot degree programs will explore practical models for a seamless transition between the first and second training phases.

Members of the commission included representatives of teachers' associations, teacher education scholars from Bavarian universities, and a representative of the Bavarian student council.