Teachers, Teacher Education, and Professional Development
Teacher Education Specific to Reading
Teacher training universities offer courses at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree levels to high school graduates who passed the national higher education entrance examination. Students may specialize in mathematics, science, physical education, social studies, primary education, Persian language and literature, internal affairs, Islamic and Arabic languages, art, or special education. Graduates of these programs are qualified to teach. Other universities and higher education institutions offer four year education programs leading to a bachelor’s degree. High school graduates who have passed the national higher education entrance examination are eligible to apply. Once admitted, students are required to take courses in pedagogy and educational psychology along with specialized courses in their subject area.
Technical and vocational colleges fall under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Higher Technical and Vocational Education. These colleges select their students from the graduates of technical and vocational and Kar-Danesh schools.
Requirements for Ongoing Professional Development in Reading for Teachers
The Ministry of Education’s Bureau for the Scientific Promotion of Human Resources has developed short term courses and workshops that provide general and specific educational content to help teachers and other staff members develop their knowledge and skills. Pre‑employment training, training for promotion, teacher education regarding newly implemented policies, and computer literacy courses are mandatory for teachers. The Curriculum Development Center and other offices also assist language and literature departments and teachers.
All textbooks are accompanied by a teacher’s edition and a teacher’s guide, which includes recommendations for teaching, assessment methods, and student activities. Almost all teachers use additional workbooks prepared by private sector organizations, but this is not mandatory. A series of instructional videos for teachers is included with most new textbooks, introducing them to the goals and objectives of the program of study. Educational magazines produced under the supervision of the Organization for Educational Research and Planning are available to teachers for additional support.