Research rationale and study protocol: Design principles for ITE programs that cater for career changers

Wayne Cotton
The University of Sydney, Australia
Susan Ledger
The University of Newcastle, Australia
William Letts
Charles Sturt University, Australia
Maria Karimullah
The University of Sydney, Australia
Belinda Davis, Janet Dutton
Macquarie University, Australia
David Roy
The University of Newcastle, Australia
Melanie Sugumaran
Charles Sturt University, Australia
Kim Wilson
Macquarie University, Australia

Teacher shortages in schools are a global issue. One solution to this problem, offered in Australian policy, is the notion of the career change teacher (White et al., 2024). Our article outlines a mixed-methods research protocol designed to develop and refine initial design principles for initial teacher education (ITE) programs that specifically address the needs of career changers. The study includes a systematic literature review to identify key enablers and impediments for career-changing teachers. Additionally, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys will be conducted with key stakeholders. Data collected through these methods will be analysed using template and quantitative analysis techniques. The findings from this research are expected to inform the development of evidence-based design principles for ITE programs, facilitating the effective transition of career changers into the teaching profession. These principles aim to address the unique needs and challenges of career change teacher students, supporting their professional development and contributing to specific improvements within ITE programs.
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Authors: Dr Wayne Cotton is an Associate Professor of Education at the University of Sydney, Australia. He holds Masters degrees in both Education and Computer Studies, as well as a PhD in Educational Technology. His current research focuses on exploring and measuring indicators of teacher quality and learning. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8581-6679 Email: wayne.cotton@sydney.edu.au Professor Susan Ledger is an advocate for the teaching profession and has a broad experiential base teaching in rural, remote and international contexts. She investigates education policies and practices relating to teaching and preparing to teach in diverse students and diverse contexts and how emerging technologies assist in this preparation. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7050-1001 Email: susan.ledger@newcastle.edu.au Dr Will Letts PhD has held numerous leadership positions, culminating in his current role as Acting Executive Dean at Charles Sturt University, Australia. Dr Letts has recently enhanced his leadership credentials with a Graduate Certificate in University Leadership and Management and a Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0266-5703 Email: wletts@csu.edu.au Dr Maria Karimullah has a PhD from The University of Sydney, Australia. Maria holds a Masters degree in Computer Science and has extensive experience in teaching ICT to middle school students. Her research focuses on exploring the indicators of teacher quality, with a particular emphasis on mid-career teachers. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3090-4065 Email: maria.karimullah@sydney.edu.au Dr Belinda Davis PhD is a Senior Lecturer in Education at Macquarie University, Australia. She works with diverse stakeholders to support inclusive understandings and practices that make a difference to children's learning and development. Her current research explores curriculum and pedagogy within and across educational settings. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5377-2296 Email: belinda.davis@mq.edu.au Dr Janet Dutton PhD is Senior Lecturer, Secondary English, Macquarie University, Australia. She leads the MQ Mid-Career Transition to Teaching program and is NSW Lead for Shifting the Culture of Out-of-field Professional Education for Teachers (ARC DP 240101175). Her research investigates transition to the profession and teacher retention, and secondary English teaching. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7562-0576 Email: janet.dutton@mq.edu.au Dr David Roy PhD is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Newcastle in Australia and was formerly a teacher for 17 years. He uses his research to inform inclusion and equity practices across Australia, with a particular focus on children with a disability, policy, and engagement with the Arts. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8796-6179 Email: david.roy@newcastle.edu.au Ms Melanie Sugumaran is a Course Director at Charles Sturt University, Australia. Melanie has a Masters degree in Education and she is currently completing her PhD in the Faculty of Arts and Education at Charles Sturt University and her research focuses on the transition of career change teachers. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0490-7513 Email: msugumaran@csu.edu.au Dr Kim Wilson PhD is a Senior Lecturer in Education at Macquarie University. She is the 2024 winner (team) of the Vice Chancellor's Educational Leader Award for Excellence. Her current research investigates mid-career transition to teaching, teacher inquiry into practice, paid in-school work and teaching difficult histories. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3187-3301 Email: kim.wilson@mq.edu.au Please cite as: Cotton, W., Ledger, S., Letts, W., Karimullah, M., Davis, B., Dutton, J., Roy, D., Sugumaran, M. & Wilson, K. (2025). Research rationale and study protocol: Design principles for ITE programs that cater for career changers. Issues in Educational Research, 35(3), 923-946. http://www.iier.org.au/iier35/cotton.pdf