Schools provide effective induction programmes

11 April 2007

Most New Zealand schools provide effective induction programmes for beginning teachers

The release of a report examining the induction of beginning teachers reveals good news and important messages for schools in New Zealand, according to the
New Zealand Teachers Council’s Director, Dr Peter Lind.

The Council commissioned the New Zealand Council for Educational Research to review research and reports of the induction programmes provided to beginning teachers in New Zealand and overseas. Entitled Learning to Teach: A Literature Review of Induction Theory and Practice, this report focuses on the period from when graduates complete their teacher education programmes until they become fully registered teachers after two to five years of employment.

According to Dr Lind, “it has been widely recognised that induction plays a significant role in the future success and retention of newly qualified teachers. While many other countries are only just waking up to the importance of induction for newly qualified teachers, New Zealand has had a history of more than 22 years of providing such programmes and it has received much favourable international commentary.”

The report has also highlighted areas for future development and improvement. For example, there is some variance in the quality of induction and few opportunities for the training and support of ‘tutor teachers’ and others charged with providing advice and feedback to newly qualified teachers. There is also little research examining the induction experiences of teachers working in Māori medium and early childhood settings.

This review comprises the first stage in the New Zealand Teachers Council’s three stage Learning to Teach research programme. This major research programme will investigate induction programmes provided for newly qualified teachers in early childhood services, Māori medium settings and in other primary and secondary schools.

Dr Lind notes that “this will provide a rich source of information for further enhancement of the induction programmes provided for newly qualified teachers in New Zealand.”

The full report is posted on the Council’s website www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz

ENDS

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