From 2003, schools have been required to gather data on student learning and engagement, and to use it to set goals for boosting student achievement. This is known as the planning and reporting (PAR) framework.

This report looks at what the PAR framework has meant for primary and secondary schools, and its initial impact on teacher practices and learning. The report combines findings from two 2006 surveys: one a nationally ...

This paper draws on the findings of a number of national surveys of primary schools conducted by NZCER since 1989, and in secondary schools since 2003. It includes new analysis from the latest 2006 survey of secondary schools, which questioned principals, trustees, teachers and parents. The paper also looks at other evidence about how boards of trustees are faring, including Education Review Office reports, and examines the research literature on ...

This report gives the results of a national survey of members of school boards of trustees. The New Zealand School Trustees' Association commissioned the survey to find out how trustees saw their role, after eight years of experience of school-based management.

Responses came from 1130 school boards, just under half the total number. Boards wanted more resourcing, not more responsibilities. The teamwork, partnership, and mutual support between boards and school ...

This research project evaluated Reading Recovery, an early intervention for students making limited progress in reading and writing after their first year at school. The study focused on school decisions about offering Reading Recovery and other literacy interventions, and on the implementation of Reading Recovery in schools. In particular, it examined the impact of Reading Recovery on the performance of Mäori and of Pasifika students, relative to other students, by ...

The main purpose of this research was to find out more about the contributions parent and whānau-led early childhood education (ECE) services are making to children's learning, parent knowledge/skills and social support, and community, in order to provide the Ministry of Education and parent/whānau-led services with information that could be used to support quality in these services.  For the purposes of this research parent/whānau led services were playcentres, kōhanga reo ...

The main purpose of this research was to find out more about the contributions parent and whanau-led early childhood education (ECE) services are making to children's learning, parent knowledge/skills and social support, and community, in order to provide the Ministry of Education and parent/whānau-led services with information that could be used to support quality in these services.  For the purposes of this research parent/whānau led services were playcentres, kōhanga reo ...

This is one of three reports from NZCER’s second national survey of the early childhood education sector, carried out in late 2007. The others are:

• Assessment practices and aspects of curriculum in early childhood education, and
• Early childhood education services in 2007: key findings from the NZCER national survey.

The survey reports the views of teachers/educators from education and care centres, kindergartens, playcentres, and home-based services, and from ...

The development of the 'information society' or 'information age' creates a global context for instruction in information skills. Ensuring that students have skill in handling, understanding, and producing information is increasingly considered a vital educational goal. This paper reviews the literature on information literacy, focusing on the common elements and aspects of information skill sequences and components. The nature of information skill as presented in New Zealand curriculum documents is ...

This study outlines information from the range of agencies and organisations that work together to establish and support the licensing and chartering of Pacific Islands early childhood centres.

An analysis of interviews carried out with key informants from licensed and unchartered centres identifies the barriers and challenges to licensing, useful supports and services, the differences between being licensed and unlicensed, and present and future needs.

Participants' views on quality, choice ...

This paper outlines some key themes in Pasifika early childhood education over the past decade. It encourages collaboration across government agencies and Pasifika centres to enhance and retain quality services for Pasifika children and their families.

It suggests the establishment of an umbrella association for Pasifika early childhood centres, somewhat like the Kindergarten Association structure.  This association could take care of management and governance issues, so that teachers have more time and energy to focus on pedagogy and ...