Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Teacher’s In-Service training in Lithuania Renaldas Ciuzas Head officer of the Initial Teacher Training and Professional Development Division

Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Education in Lithuania: figures of schools of general education (28 state, 1408 municipal, 19 private); teachers; students (pre-primary, primary, lower and secondary); 9 students per one full-time educator (student/teacher ratio).

Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Major regulatory documents Provisions of the National Education Strategy and Implementation Plan (2003,2005); Law on Education (2003); Law on Higher Education (2000); Development Plan of Higher Education (2005); General programmes and National standards for attained education levels (promotes a significant decentralization in the field of teaching and encourages teacher freedom, creative effort, initiative and innovation) (2003).

Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Provisions of the National Education Strategy ( ): Key aims To develop an efficient consistent education system based on the responsible management, targeted funding and rational use of resources; To develop an accessible system of continuing education that guarantees life-long learning and social justice in education; To ensure a quality of education which is in line with the needs of an individual living in an open civil society under market economy conditions, and the universal needs of society of the modern world.

Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Quality of Education National Agency for School Evaluation (2006) –Schools self-evaluation methodology (2002, new edition in 2006) –Pilot of external school evaluation (started 2004) National Education monitoring system – Education monitoring law (2005) –96 national education indicators (2005) –Education Management Information System (2004, ) –Annuals reports “Education in Lithuania” and “Education in regions”

Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Financing Schools are financed in the form of allocations from the State budget and municipal budgets: from the State budget school are financing in the way of allocation per learner (funds for teachers salaries, for textbooks and other teaching means, for teacher in-service training, etc.) from municipal budget are financing schools environmental costs (heating, electricity, etc.)

Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Initial teacher training Universities: Concurrent model (BA + professional qualification) Consecutive model ((BA) + editional 1 year study programme (professional qualification)) Collegies: Concurrent model (diploma of higher non-university education + professional qualification) for: pre-school teachers (3 years), primary teachers (3-4 years), subject teachers for basic school (4 years).

Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Teacher attestation system Teacher professional levels: teacher, senior teacher, teacher methodologist teacher expert). Requirements are determined by the MoES. To be promoted teachers are required to take professional development courses (no less than 3 days per year). A teacher attestation system is directly connected with the issue of promotion and pay increase.

Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Head teachers (principals) attestation There are three pay-related gualification categories (levels): I – the highest, III – the lowest. The groups of experts who make site visits and observations appraise head teachers and deputies. Requirements are determined by the MoES.

Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Teacher in-service training providers and quality assurance Ministry of Education and Science Teacher’s Professional Development Centre (1) Universities Teacher’s Training Centres (6) Regional Teacher’s Education Centres (51) Others Teacher’s development institutions (15) Teacher’s Competence Centre

Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Ministry of Education and Science Establishing the qualification requirements for teachers Creating a network of teachers’ in-service training institutions, Ensuring implementation of State-mandated in-service programmes

Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Teacher Competence Centre (2003) Evaluation of the quality of in-service teacher training courses. Approving teachers training providers. Teachers training centers Quality assurance system is based on internal (self-evaluation) and external evaluation of providers.

Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Teacher professional development centre (1999) Development and implementation of national programmes for teacher in-service training related to curriculum development and education reform in close co-operation with regional teacher education centres. Implementation of innovative teacher practices. Training of teacher trainers. Providing courses for school managers.

Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Regional Teacher’s education centres Provide school-focused support in response to both national and local needs. Serve resources for schools and facilitate networking of teachers and school community

Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Education improvement project ( ) The goal of the project was to improve student achievements of 5-10 grades in basic schools by enhancing the quality of teaching and learning conditions in close relation with development of the system of quality management of education, energy efficiency, optimization of school network The project was supported by the Lithuanian government, municipalities and World Bank

Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Education Improvement Project: Improvement of teaching and learning conditions This goal achieved by means of the following: 1) investments in renovation of 62 basic school buildings; 2) the provision of schools with new teaching aids; 3) a long-term and integrated programme of training for teachers, heads of schools and school teams involving municipality education sector officers; 4) the creation of a virtual learning environment at schools; 5) preparation and publication of learning materials, periodical publications and video programs; 6) co-ordination, support and management of the processes of school improvement.

Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Dynamic in teachers qualification system after decentralization

Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Future challenges Initial teacher training and professional development improvement programme ( ): To define teacher competence based standards; To introduce induction phase in teacher education; To establish teacher professional development link to academic recognition by granting ECTS credits. Leadership project ( ): To strengthen leadership and management at all levels focusing on efficiency, effectiveness and on improving the quality of teaching, learning and student attainment; To encourage organizational learning in schools.

Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo ir mokslo ministerija Thank You for attention