An Evaluation of Three Programmes in the Innovations Funding Pool

The Innovations Funding Pool was set up to fund education programmes to support students at risk of poor educational outcomes, and is managed by the Ministry of Education.

Cool Schools

The Cool Schools Peer Mediation is a national programme that has been established in primary and secondary schools in New Zealand for 12 years. The programme is initially delivered in schools by the Peace Foundation. The central component of the programme is Peer Mediators - students who patrol the school playground at intervals and lunchtimes to mediate disputes between students. Peer Mediators are students at the most senior levels of the school, and they are trained in this role by the Cool Schools Coordinator (a nominated teacher), who also supervises them and manages the duty roster.

Kiwi Can

The main goals of the Kiwi Can programme can be broadly described as to improve children's life skills and to develop in them an "I can" attitude. The programme is delivered in primary and intermediate schools by Kiwi Can leaders - young people, one male and one female, employed and trained by the local Kiwi Can Trust. Each class in the school attends a Kiwi Can lesson each week, in a dedicated room, accompanied by the classroom teacher.

Tū Tangata

The Tū Tangata programme primarily involves placing people from the community in the role of Education Support Personnel (ESPs), who work in the classroom alongside students. Particular students are targeted, and the ESP works specifically with these students, but also providing assistance to other students where needed. ESPs are often a member of the targeted student's whānau.