Will Australia’s new professional standards for teachers help raise the status and quality of teaching? The experts think not. Darragh O Keeffe reports.

The draft national professional standards for teachers have been released for consultation and, much like the national curriculum, have the profession talking. The standards describe what is required of teachers at four levels of professional expertise - graduate, proficient, highly accomplished and lead teacher - across three domains: professional knowledge, professional practice and professional engagement. While many experts point to some key positives, such as the use of clear and concise language and extensive consultation with the profession, many have highlighted what they see as...