Transition from Primary to Secondary School

This home page contains information about the Transition from Primary to Secondary School Project, a study undertaken by the Research Division of the Ministry of Education. It also provides links to some preliminary results from the project

A review of international research indicates that the transition from primary to secondary school can be a stressful time for students. It also shows that while many schools have positive initiatives in place to ease the transition for students, there is still a lot to learn about the complexities of this transition.

In response to the need to know more about this transition in the New Zealand context the Research Division of the Ministry of Education has been involved in a semi-longitudinal study following a group of Year 8 students from their last term at primary school through to Year 9, and on into their second year at secondary school (Year 10).

The overall aim of the research was to identify the key variables that seem to facilitate or hinder a smooth transition for students between the two school sectors in terms of their (a) overall learning and achievement (b) social development/adjustment and (c) development (or maintenance) of positive attitudes towards school, learning and achieving well.

The study was designed to obtain in-depth information from students about how they felt about school, particular subjects, their own learning and achievement, other interests both within and outside school, and their experiences of transition. Students were interviewed at four different stages over 18 months. In addition to being interviewed, students were also tested in reading, writing and maths using asTTle¹ so that their achievement before, during and after the transition from primary to secondary school could be monitored.

Specific information about the students was also sought from parents and teachers. More general information to do with the transition and schooling was obtained through interviews with school principals, teachers, school counsellors, Year 9 deans and other school staff.

The final data collection for the project was completed at the end of Term 1, 2005 when the participating students were in Year 10. While some preliminary results have already been released a series of in-depth reports are scheduled to be released in 2008.

‘Luke’s Story’

If you wish to read the more comprehensive version of ‘Luke’s story’ (as referred to on p.20 of ‘The Case of Emily’ report, please contact the report authors for a copy. See Contact Us below.

Accessing Instruments (Interview Schedules and Questionnaires) Used in the Primary to Secondary Schooling Transition Study

If you wish to obtain copies of some or all of the interview schedules or questionnaires used throughout this study, please contact the authors of the research reports. See Contact Us below. Alternatively, you may request the instruments by emailing the Research Division on research.info@minedu.govt.nz [no spam]

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the Transitions Project please contact the researchers within the Research and Evaluation Team (Research Division):

Sharon Cox

Senior Research Analyst

Ministry of Education
PO Box 1666
Thorndon, Wellington
New Zealand

Email: Sharon.Cox

DDI: +64 4 463 8297
Fax: +64 4 463 8312

Shelley Kennedy

Senior Research Analyst

Ministry of Education
PO Box 1666
Thorndon, Wellington
New Zealand

Email: Shelley.Kennedy

DDI: +64 4 463 8301
Fax: +64 4 463 8312

Publications

A Study of Students’ Transition from Primary to Secondary Schooling

Students’ Achievement as they Transition from Primary to Secondary Schooling

The Case of Emily: A Focus on Students as they Transition from Primary to Secondary Schooling

Footnote

Assessment Tools for Teaching & Learning (asTTIe) is a software package that enables schools to create and analyse literacy and numeracy tests to assess curriculum Levels 2 to 6.

Downloads

(To open the zipped files, you will need WinZip software installed on your PC. Due to the size of this publication, it may take some time to download.)

Transition to Secondary School: A Literature Review

Types of Data Collected at each Phase of the Project Document [37KB]