Media Release

Teacher learning that works for students

The latest research from the Ministry of Education shows that effective professional development can give students a two year boost in their learning.

The analysis of 97 studies of teacher professional learning and development programmes is part of the Ministry’s Best Evidence Synthesis programme. 17 of the professional development studies were carried out in New Zealand and all showed what actually produced better results for students.

The New Zealand studies showed high overall effect compared with other countries. “Much of our professional development work is clearly world leading”, said Ministry deputy-secretary Rob McIntosh.

The new BES was written by a team of four researchers headed by Professor Helen Timperley of University of Auckland.

Their work has already received international acclaim from the International Academy of Education which plans to publish the findings worldwide, and from the American Educational Research Association which will feature the research in its 2008 annual review.

Key findings included:

• New Zealand’s literacy professional development project was exceptionally successful, especially for low achieving students
• New Zealand’s numeracy development project is a national professional development initiative that compares well by international comparison
• Teacher development programmes that made the most difference involved cycles of research and development
• When school principals and leaders are actively involved, teacher professional learning and development is more likely to succeed
• Big gains were made by students if the teacher’s content and assessment knowledge improved
• The quality of expertise available to assist schools with professional development was critical to its effectiveness

The hard copy of the new Best Evidence Synthesis on teacher professional learning and development will be launched at the Conference of the International Congress for School Effectiveness and School Improvement on January 6 and available online at http://educationcounts.edcentre.govt.nz/goto/BES

For more information contact:

Iain Butler
Senior Media Advisor
Ministry of Education
Phone: 04 463 8017
Mobile: 027 283 6122
Email: iain.butler@minedu.govt.nz
www.minedu.govt.nz