• Overseas Teachers in NZ Schools: The Picture in 1999 [PDF 251kB]

One of the initiatives introduced by the Ministry of Education in recent years to increase the supply of teachers to New Zealand schools has been the recruitment of overseas teachers. The article provides a summary of results from the most recent of a series of studies undertaken since 1997 on the overseas teachers who have come to teach in New Zealand. Amongst other things, the article provides information on the country of origin of the teachers, what prompted their decision to come to New Zealand to teach, and, in the case of secondary teachers, their main teaching subjects. As well, data on the overseas teachers' intentions for continuing to live and teach in New Zealand in the short- and longer-term are discussed.

• The Staffing Situation in New Zealand Schools... [(PDF 216kB]

Results of a survey of all schools at the beginning of the current school year to discover the extent to which schools were experiencing vacancies are presented. The article also presents comparisons of this year's data with that obtained from similar surveys carried out in 1997, 1998, and 1999. The results this year suggest that although the staffing situation in primary schools continues to improve, the effects of roll growth on teacher supply may be just beginning to be felt at the secondary school level.

• Annual Monitoring of Reading Recovery: The Data for 1999 [PDF 175kB]

Reading Recovery data (eg, the number of students who participate in a Reading Recovery programme each year and the number of those who successfully complete their programme) have been monitored and reported on annually since 1984. This article discusses the most recent data, collected in 1999. Overall, the data suggest a steady, ongoing demand for Reading Recovery in New Zealand schools.

• Survey of Schools for their views on the Draft Document... [PDF 327kB]

As part of an extensive consultation process regarding the draft document The Arts in the New Zealand Curriculum, a random sample of primary and secondary schools was surveyed in 1999 for their views on aspects of the draft curriculum and on matters concerning its implementation. The article presents the results of the survey, which showed that while there was positive feedback on many aspects of the draft curriculum, schools had concerns about implementation.

• A Summary of the 1999 Data on Students... [PDF 167kB]

Resource Teachers of Reading (RTRs) have been offering specialist assistance to primary school students with serious difficulties in learning to read and write since 1980. Data on students taught by RTRs have been collected and analysed each year since 1992. The article presents a summary of the latest data, which, along with other findings, show that the majority of students discharged from RTR programmes in 1999 were considered now able to cope in the classroom situation. The 1999 data also indicate that the demand for the service provided by RTRs remains high.

• Implementing Social Studies In The New Zealand Curriculum... [PDF 250kB]

The final version of Social Studies in the New Zealand Curriculum was released in 1997, and scheduled for full implementation in schools in 2000. In order to establish how prepared schools felt they were to fully implement the social studies curriculum and to establish whether they were experiencing any particular problems with the implementation process, the Ministry of Education sought feedback from schools. A postal questionnaire survey of a sample of primary and secondary schools was conducted in August 1999 to obtain this feedback. The article presents the results of the survey which found that although schools generally appeared to have been progressing well towards full implementation of the curriculum, there were some areas where further guidance and support were considered necessary.

• Views on Inter-Agency Collaboration... [PDF 436kB]

Strengthening Families is a government strategy aimed at improving the well-being of families whose children are at risk of poor outcomes. One of several initiatives under the Strengthening Families umbrella is collaborative case management, a process for inter-agency collaboration when two or more agencies are involved with one family. The report discusses the results of a postal questionnaire survey of employees in the health, education, and welfare sectors, which, broadly speaking, asked for their views on inter-agency collaboration, and, specifically, collaborative case management, in terms of improving outcomes for children in families at risk.