Teachers, Teacher Education, and Professional Development
Professional certification is required to qualify as a teacher and may be obtained through nonacademic teacher education programs. Argentina reformed its teacher education policies in 2009, extending programs from three to four years and moving teacher education into schools. In this way, teacher trainees are introduced to professional practice gradually, beginning with observing classes, then participating in lesson planning, and finally taking full responsibility for classroom management. Primary school teachers receive training in four main subject areas: mathematics, language arts, social sciences, and natural sciences.
Teacher Education Specific to Mathematics and Science
Primary school teacher education comprises 25 percent mathematics and science content and 30 percent classroom practice. Secondary school teacher education comprises 62 percent mathematics or science content and 14 percent classroom practice.
Secondary school teacher education (for the eighth grade level) is divided by discipline (e.g., mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics). The curriculum is dedicated mainly to developing subject-specific content knowledge and explores subject-specific teaching strategies in depth.
Requirements for Ongoing Professional Development
Continuing education and professional development are guaranteed both at the local and national levels. At the local level, a special center for ongoing teacher education delivers compulsory and optional training programs. At the national level, a national program for continuing education is in place. Schools participate in a three year cycle that combines the support of different institutions, creating a network of teachers and institutions, in programs organized for teachers by year of instruction or subject discipline, focusing on both subject content and teaching strategies.
There is incentive for teachers to participate in professional development. By participating in professional development programs, teachers accumulate credits that help them when applying to new and more senior teaching positions that offer higher compensation.