National professional standards for teachers have been a focus of discussion in recent weeks.

The Standards are central to the reform agenda of the National Partnership on Improving Teacher Quality that was agreed by all Australian governments in 2008. This article outlines the current status of the national standards work. The National Partnership targets critical points in the teacher 'lifecycle' to attract, train, place, develop and retain quality teachers and school leaders in schools and classrooms. The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) has a significant role to play in the delivery of this reform agenda. AITSL is charged with promoting excellence in...