Victorian CRT Networks and the DET's CRT Professional Learning Initiative.

Today I'd just like to have a bit of a word about the CRT Professional Learning Initiative (CRT PLI) and how it fits in with CRT Networks and you.

The CRT Professional Learning Initiative offers Victorian CRTs an opportunity to attend accessible PD, tailored to the CRT context and local educational needs.  This funding allows local Network Coordinators to pay for presenters, venues and catering so you can get access to quality PD experiences. The important part of this is that the CRT PLI is intended to be available to YOU as a CRT working in Victoria to support better student outcomes.

I have made this point recently but its a good idea to make it again.  As CRTs we have this tendency to look at PD as a registration requirement.  The fact that we can struggle to afford 20 hours of PD a year colours our view and after a while we feel like we are chasing PD only for our registration.  When we feel like that often enough, and the 1 year registration cycle rams this home for many, its an ethic that starts to stick.

The CRT PLI is not "so you can maintain your registration".  A few ywers ago it was found that 10% to 12% of the average student's education was delivered by a CRT so teaching quality from CRTs REALLY matters.  This isn't saying that CRTs are "bad teachers", what it's saying is that better supports for CRTs are becoming more and more important as time goes on and the expectations placed on CRTs increase.

Simply put, the CRT PLI is intended to support better student outcomes through increased support for CRTs.   What this means is that even if you are a provisionally registered teacher then adequately supporting you is important too, even if you don't have to submit 20 hours of PD per year to the Victorian Institute of Teaching.  If you are a CRT working in Victorian schools this is for YOU regardless of your registration status.

The program has suffered some setbacks in the last couple of years meaning that the CRT PLI has been unable to provide PD for quite some time.  For some of you it's no longer a "habit" to keep yourself up to date with these local opportunities and for many of you this will be a very new experience.

By and large the primary contact strategy for CRT Networks is member lists.  You join the Network and when a PD is announced you get an email and then follow the provided instructions to book your seat.  This sort of means that if you don't belong to your local/closest Network you might not get access to this PD that the DET is providing on your behalf.

Note:  I need to make it clear that Networks are not required to hold collegial meetings (though I understand that most hold at least a couple a year when they're in fill swing).  The primary function of the CRT PLI is to provide formal PD that offers access to top class presenters that CRTs often miss out on because they don't get invited to school PD and can't afford reliable access to quality formal PD on a casual wage.

Unfortunately coverage of Victoria is far from complete through Networks and the CRT PLI.  Starting again after two years is going to take some time to get some traction,  If you are near a currently active Network however, if you want access to the PD being provided for the benefit of you and your students it is a VERY good idea to join your nearest Network as being on their member list is the most sure-fire way of making sure you are informed of the PD workshops/seminars on offer.

You can find the most current list of networks here:

http://www.vit.vic.edu.au/forms-and-publications/useful-links

This list has contact details for all currently active CRT Networks but unfortunately a couple are inactive.  The list is currently in the process of being updated and a list will also appear on the DET website in the future.

I hope you have a great time at the PD the CRT PLI provides.

Mel.