Insights from a mapping exercise conducted in eight countries to collect descriptions of teacher career structures and related implementation challenges. The findings from the mapping exercise highlight key aspects that policy makers need to consider before embarking on teacher career reforms. The results suggest that some ‘pre-requisites of the reform’ are essential for its success no matter which career structure is chosen. By Barbara Tournier, IIEP-UNESCO. More information on http://www.iiep.unesco.org/en/how-can-teacher-careers-be-reformed-cies2017-3899

1. RESULTS OF THE MAPPING EXERCISE
Barbara Tournier (b.tournier@iiep.unesco.org)

2.  Lithuania
 Scotland
 Thailand
 Ethiopia
 South Africa
 Mexico
 Peru
 Colombia
Selected Countries

3. 1) What design options have countries opted for in the design of
teachers’ careers?
2) What challenges have been encountered while implementing teacher
career reforms? Can certain design choices be associated with specific
difficulties?
3) To what extent can different teacher career models contribute to
teacher motivation, satisfaction, attraction, and retention?
Key Questions

4. Rich diversity in possible combinations of design options
A number of pre-requisites need to be considered before
introducing teacher career reforms
Specific considerations in the design of career structures
Insights from the mapping exercise

5. Country
Career models currently in use
Single salary
schedule
Salary
progression
based on
appraisal
Career ladder Bonus pay
Colombia   
Ethiopia 
Lithuania  
Mexico   
Peru   
Scotland  
South Africa   
Thailand  
Rich diversity in possible combinations
of design options

6. Need
Clarity
Capacity
for change
Teacher
buy-in
Momentum
Teacher career reforms are technically complex and
resource-intensive: a number of pre-requisites need to
be considered

7. Salary progression based on appraisal Career ladder
Inadequate difficulty of standards that teachers are appraised against
Inadequate minimum duration of stay in each position/salary grade
Complex process of moving teachers from an old to a new salary spine/career
ladder
Inadequate number of different
positions
Unclear definition of responsibilities in
each of the positions
Specific considerations for design

8. a promising
policy
… requiring
careful design &
implementation
Need to hear from
teachers themselves
Teacher career reform