Innovative teacher training courses: the future of education in Baden-Württemberg!

Innovative teacher training courses: the future of education in Baden-Württemberg!

The shortage of skilled workers in the education sector, especially in MINT subjects, requires innovative approaches to teacher training. To address this problem, the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and Art has launched a model experiment that evaluates the quality and effectiveness of teaching-related master's programs. The title of the study is “Quality and effectiveness of teaching-related master’s programs in Baden-Württemberg (QuaWiDual)”, and the funding amounts to up to 300,000 euros. The start of the model experiment is planned for the winter semester of 2024/2025, with the funding period being three years from March 2025 uni-osnabrueck.de reported.

These dual master's degree programs are aimed at graduates of relevant bachelor's degree programs who have not yet completed any teaching-related training. A central feature of the new offering is the close integration of school practical phases and teaching-related course content. After the four-semester course, students can acquire the “Master of Education” degree, followed immediately by a preparatory service that is shortened to twelve months.

Model experiment as a response to educational challenges

Education policy is currently faced with the challenge of providing more students with fewer student teachers. In order to resolve this bottleneck, the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) has decided on a package of measures designed to make access to the teaching profession more flexible and attractive. The introduction of dual teacher training courses would be part of this strategy by integrating the preparatory service into the teacher training course deutsches-schulportal.de explained.

There are three main models for dual teacher training courses. The first model includes a dual bachelor's and master's degree with an integrated clerkship, the second a dual master's degree with (partially) integrated clerkship. The third model is aimed at career changers who want to qualify for a teaching profession while working. These models expand the possibilities for future teachers, although the decision about implementation and target groups lies with the federal states.

In-depth evaluation for better training quality

The QuaWiDual model experiment is being comprehensively evaluated to check the introduction and implementation of the new study programs. The evaluation approach includes both qualitative and quantitative research methods to analyze study conditions, student characteristics and skills development. Interdisciplinary quality circles are set up to further develop the results in exchange with universities, colleges and school partners.

The dual objectives of the initiative are an innovative approach to the teaching profession and the safeguarding and further development of the quality of training. The project thus sends a strong signal for future-oriented and scientifically based teacher training in Germany.

This approach is particularly important at a time when education systems are often considered underfunded by international comparison and there are challenges with regard to the quality of education. The expansion of education is not only a question of political responsibility, but also crucial for cultural integration and national identity, as outlined in the historical development of the German education system. bpb.de points out that education was not shaped by rational planning but by cultural and socio-economic processes.

For media inquiries, Prof. Dr. Dana Bergmann from the University of Osnabrück is available, who is leading the scientific support of the project.