Issues and trends in science teacher education in Taiwan Huann-shyang Lin National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan.

Issues and trends in science teacher education in Taiwan

Huann-shyang Lin

National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan

Topics to be addressed

• Brief introduction of Taiwan’s educational system.

• Critical changes in the past two decades.

• Challenges and critical issues.

Compulsory Ed.

How does the educational system look like ?

Primary sch.

Junior high sch.

Junior high sch.

Senior high sch.

University

Junior high sch.Kinder-

garten

Primary sch.

4-5

6-1212-15

15-18

18~

(age)

Entrance Examination

Basic Competence Test

Academic Attainment

Testing

Junior high sch.

Senior high sch.

University

Taiwan enrollment rate (6~21-year- old) of school in the past 10 years

(%)(Year)

Taiwan birth rate in the past 10 years(T

hou

san

ds)

(Year)

Requirement & Procedures of secondary science teacher certification

Complete requirement pre-service teacher education courses: 1. Content Knowledge (CK) : 45 credits at least2. Pedagogical Knowledge (PK) & Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) : 26 credits at least

Attend full-time internship with six months

Apply teaching job in local cities

Participate in teacher certification exam (Paper-pencil)Examination Subjects : (1)Common : National language ability test & Principle and system of education(2)Professional : Teenager development and counseling & Secondary school curriculum and instruction

Ministry of education issues certificate of qualified teachers

In-service science teacher in secondary education by age group

2005 13.34 21.45 21.25 18.99 13.96 7.17 2.93 0.91

2006 14.82 22.31 20.96 19.36 13.52 6.03 2.12 0.86

2007 13.68 23.19 19.72 19.79 14.23 6.39 2.17 0.83

2008 11.93 23.82 19.25 20.43 14.79 6.58 2.42 0.79

2009 9.80 23.40 19.64 20.84 15.91 7.12 2.44 0.84

Percent

(

％)N

umber of person

In-service science teacher in secondary education by educational degree

Percent

(

％)

Certified teachers by certification year and job placement

Num

ber of person

Critical changes- teacher education

• In 1994, the Law of Teacher Education was substantially revised.

• Before 1994, all k-12 teachers were educated through national teachers colleges and normal universities. The tuition fees of pre-service teachers were supported by the government. Their teaching jobs were securely guaranteed. Only the top 5% of examinees can get into the teacher education colleges or universities.

Critical changes- Teacher education

• After 1994, the teacher education programs are open to all universities. All university students can apply for the pre-service program on their own expense for the tuition fee. Upon completing the credit requirement and passing the certification exam, certified teachers have to compete for job opportunities.

Critical changes- Curricular reform

• In 2003, the innovation of national curriculum for compulsory education (grades 1-9) switched from Subject Matter-based (SM) curriculum to Integrated and Coordinated (IC) curriculum.

• The innovation attracted a lot of continuing concerns, debates, and even criticisms.

Challenges- Professional development

How can in-service science teachers be attracted for life-long learning of developing their own professional ability?

(Current status: Low interest for in-service training; passive for change)

Thank you for your attention!