Teacher Preparation Post-devolution, 1999–2007

Abstract

The re-establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, with education in schools being a devolved area, meant that school education would be area of focus for the labour–liberal democrat coalition. The consequent impact on Teacher Education of changes to school education is explored. This chapter will consider changes such as Curriculum for Excellence to discuss how Initial Teacher Education (ITE) at universities was impacted and, additionally, how changes to teacher conditions, following the McCrone Agreement, effected change in teachers' working conditions, and which influenced a range of professional standards under the guardianship of the General Teaching Council for Scotland. These factors engendered a fundamental shift in teachers' professional development. The chapter also explores the context of ITE with its locus firmly in Higher Education Institutions and how operational and strategic issues impacted the discipline of ITE within universities. In relation to ITE specifically, the two-stage review is discussed but the chapter concludes that the most change and innovation occurred at the post-qualification level rather than within ITE in universities. The reasons for this are explored.

Citation

McLennan, C. (2020), "Teacher Preparation Post-devolution, 1999–2007", Shanks, R. (Ed.) Teacher Preparation in Scotland (Emerald Studies in Teacher Preparation in National and Global Contexts), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 49-61. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83909-480-420201005