Glossary

You can use the course glossary to help with any unfamiliar terminology.

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P

Paraprofessional or ‘para’ teachers

See contract teachers.


Performance review or appraisal

See appraisal.


Practicum

Classroom teaching practice  during  initial  teacher  education to allow student teachers to acquire beginning teaching competencies, apply theory to practice and prepare them for the realities of teaching.


Pre-service training

See initial teacher education/training.


Probation

A fixed-duration trial period to evaluate the progress and  skills of a new employee before they enter full-time permanent employment.


Professional licensing

See certification.


Pupil-teacher ratio (PTR)

The number of pupils enrolled in school divided by the number of school teachers; the number of pupils per teacher (or average class size). PTRs are calculated by level of education (PTR primary or PTR secondary).