Induction and mentoring pilot programme 2009-2010
Once Council had a better idea of how beginning teachers were being supported and what best practice in induction and mentoring looks like, draft guidelines were developed. The next step in the project was to pilot the guidelines and models of support for provisionally registered teachers (PRTs) and mentors.
Council funded four pilots to trial the draft Guidelines for Induction and Mentoring and Mentor Teachers. Council wanted to find out if the guidelines were relevant to teachers in different sectors. Also, how could Council support schools and ECE centres to use the guidelines?
The induction and mentoring pilot programme involved four sector specific pilots and an evaluation.
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ECE pilot: NZ Kindergartens’ Regional Networks
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Primary pilot: Auckland University’s Educative Mentoring
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Secondary pilot: Massey University’s Professional Learning Community
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Māori medium pilot: Awanuiārangi’s Connected Approach
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Evaluation
ECE pilot: NZ Kindergartens’ Regional Networks
New Zealand Kindergartens ran a one-year pilot across three regions in New Zealand.
Key features of pilot:
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Series of workshops and regional networks for mentors.
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Involvement of over 100 mentors and PRTs from five kindergarten associations in three regional areas.
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Workshops focused on developing mentor skills e.g. assessment, coaching and self-reflection.
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Pilot overseen by a National Advisory Group that designed the workshop programme.
"Building relationships and making time to talk emerged as two critical elements of effective induction and mentoring."
View Induction and Mentoring Pilot - Early Childhood Executive Summary (PDF, 117KB)
View Induction and Mentoring Pilot - Early Childhood Report (PDF, 7.10MB)
Primary pilot: Auckland University’s Educative Mentoring
Auckland University ran a two-year pilot with six primary and intermediate schools.
Key features of pilot:
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Each school developed models of induction along with policies to support PRTs. Principals led this work using the draft Guidelines.
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Mentor training developed educative skills using action research methodology and analysis of taped learning conversations with PRTs.
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The pilot was underpinned by 12 key characteristics of sound PRT induction.
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Research investigated the skills mentors need to develop PRTs pedagogical expertise.
"National policy, educative mentoring, and school leadership are fundamental to sustaining high-quality learning for PRTs and to their impact on student’s learning."
View Induction and Mentoring Pilot - Primary Executive Summary (PDF, 106KB)
View Induction and Mentoring Pilot - Primary Report (PDF, 3.98MB)
Secondary pilot: Massey University’s Professional Learning Community
Massey University ran a two-year pilot with six secondary schools across three regions in New Zealand.
Key features of pilot:
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The pairing of schools to work together for the duration of the pilot.
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Professional learning days to build mentoring skills and share strategies for induction and mentoring.
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Support from a team of skilled facilitators via in-school visits, emails, phone and skype conversations.
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A Self-Assessment Tool was created for gathering evidence to meet the Registered Teacher Criteria.
"Having a solid, living, integrated induction and mentoring plan is the key to ongoing sustainability and support for all staff."
View Induction and Mentoring Pilot - Secondary Executive Summary (PDF, 102KB)
View Induction and Mentoring Pilot - Secondary Report (PDF, 3.78MB)
Māori medium pilot: Awanuiārangi’s Connected Approach
Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi worked with teachers in the Māori medium sector to develop a unique model of induction and mentoring.
Key features of pilot:
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Wānanga exploring a kaupapa Māori approach to mentoring with teachers from kura kaupapa Māori, kohanga reo, kura rumaki immersion classes and wharekura.
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Development of a conceptual model of induction and mentoring – Te Amorangi ki Mua – underpinned by a reciprocal concept of ako.
The pilot created the resource Te Hāpai Ō which provides practical tools for implementing an induction and mentoring programme based on kaupapa Māori.
"He kaiako, he ākonga hoki tēnā tangata me tēnā.
"Every person is both a teacher and a learner."
Evaluation
Martin Jenkins and Associates carried out an independent evaluation of the pilot programme.
Key findings from the evaluation:
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The draft Guidelines led to substantive shifts in induction and mentoring practices within the pilot schools and ECE centres. For example formalising induction plans, increasing understanding of effective mentoring practices and greater clarity of the role of mentors.
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Professional development needs to focus on building mentor skills and understanding of the Guidelines.
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ECE and school leaders play a critical role in the induction and mentoring of PRTs.
"The Draft Guidelines provided a framework to support high-quality, comprehensive and educative support for PRTs as they begin their journey towards full registration."
View Induction and Mentoring Pilot - Evaluation Executive Summary (PDF, 215KB)
View Induction and Mentoring Pilot - Evaluation (PDF, 3.48MB)