The New Zealand Teachers Council and the Ministry of Education started work in 2004 on a joint research project on initial teacher education. Four reports have just been released with findings.

Two of the studies will be of particular interest to NZEI members:

Project Two: A literature review and annotated bibliography of research into Initial teacher Education, is a useful document which is being maintained and updated by Massey University. The authors examined work conducted since 1993 which met the criteria of the Ministry of Education Tertiary Education Commission. This excluded reports, commentaries and submissions on initial teacher education. Project Three: Initial teacher Education: Policy and Practice (Ruth Kane et al). This project was a national survey of teacher education qualifications in New Zealand. The researchers examined the documentation available but were unable to examine internal differences in modes of delivery for example between campus based and distance or flexible based programme delivery.

The full reports of these two projects can be downloaded from the Teachers Council website. A summary document is not yet available but will be posted soon. The first and fourth reports were not formally published but findings are included in the summary report, and they are available as working papers on request to the Ministry of Education or the Teachers Council. Inquiries should be addressed to: comms@teacherscouncil.govt.nz or research@minedu.govt.nz