Conference proceeding
Mapping the Ecosystem of Out-of-Field Teaching in Mathematics
MERGA48 Beyond boundaries: Strengthening futures in mathematics education, pp.470-470
Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA), 48th (Parramatta, Australia, 06/07/2026–10/07/2026)
08/07/2026
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Abstract
Teacher shortages in Australia and internationally have prompted systems and schools to rely increasingly on teachers working outside their area of qualification or teaching out-of-field (OOF) (Hobbs, 2013). This practice has significant implications for workforce planning (AITSL, 2021), with estimates that up to 40% of mathematics teachers may be teaching OOF. Research links OOF teaching to reduced student achievement (Van Overschelde, 2022), higher teacher attrition (Sharplin, 2014), and diminished teacher confidence (Du Plessis et al., 2015). The aim of our ARC-funded project, Shifting the Culture of Out-of-field Professional Education for Teachers (SCOPE-T), is to investigate the broader interplay among policy settings, school priorities, stakeholder expectations, and systemic incentives that shape teachers’ engagement with professional education (PE).
Details
- Title
- Mapping the Ecosystem of Out-of-Field Teaching in Mathematics
- Creators
- Emily Ross - The University of QueenslandMerrilyn Goos - The University of QueenslandGreg Oates - University of TasmaniaOsman Kasimu - University of Tasmania
- Contributors
- Nathan Berger (Editor) - Western Sydney UniversityMatt Thompson (Editor) - Western Sydney UniversityJohn Ley (Editor)Cristi Wilsmore (Editor)
- Publication Details
- MERGA48 Beyond boundaries: Strengthening futures in mathematics education, pp.470-470
- Conference
- Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA), 48th (Parramatta, Australia, 06/07/2026–10/07/2026)
- Publisher
- The Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia Inc.; Adelaide, South Australia
- Identifiers
- 991013406892902368
- Copyright
- © MERGA Inc. 2026
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Education
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Conference proceeding