COHEP Objectives and Responsibilities
The universities of teacher education (UTEs) are mandated to provide high-quality academic undergraduate teacher training and continuing professional development (CPE) to teachers at all educational levels. They are also involved in research, development and services provision.
The General Assembly of 16-17 November 2011 approved COHEP’s Strategy 2012-2016, which sets out the following priority development proposals:
- External and internal tertiarisation
External tertiarisation of structural requirements (qualifications of UTE staff, admittance to UTE, training, research, CPE) and internal tertiarisation of forms of teaching and learning and of the practice of research and development meet university-level standards and meet the UTE’s mandate.
- Generation and transfer of knowledge
Knowledge generation in subject-specific didactics, educational science and in educational practice is a central task of the universities of teacher education and contributes to the development of the profession and to teacher training. It addresses issues and problems arising in educational practice and ensures that knowledge generated in the field of research and development flows into educational practice and into the undergraduate training and continuing professional development of teachers.
- Performance evaluation
Both the effectiveness and quality of teacher training in the professional field is evaluated regularly and communicated clearly. COHEP develops a monitoring system on specific issues.
- Partnerships in the education system
COHEP and the universities of teacher education have become established in the education system as relevant, competent partners at both local and national level. The public perception of UTEs has improved considerably thanks to their increased involvement in the field of educational practice.