Our research

Starting school is a major childhood event. It can be an exciting time for children and their families. But it is a big change, and so it can also be an uncertain time. A good start at school sets children up to succeed at school. We looked to see how changing to cohort entry impacts on children, their peers, and whānau, as well as their schools and early childhood education services.

Starting school is a major childhood event. It can be an exciting time for children and their families. But it is a big change and can be an uncertain time. Since 2018, schools have been able to have children start in groups at certain dates during the year. This is called cohort entry. ERO found that cohort entry has a range of benefits for children’s wellbeing and learning, schools’ ability to structure transitions more easily, and for teachers due to fewer disruptions and more time to teach.

The disruptions caused by Covid-19 over the last two years have been challenging and long lasting. Auckland in particular has had many lockdowns and is where the majority of Pacific learners live.

Pacific communities have faced the challenges of Covid-19 with resilience and schools have put in a range of responses to support Pacific learners through the disruption. This report shines a light on these challenges and shares successful strategies.

The disruptions caused by Covid-19 over the last two years have been challenging and long lasting. ERO’s new report, Learning in a Covid-19 World: The Impact of Covid-19 on Pacific Learners, looks closely at the achievement, attendance, mental health and wellbeing, school contexts, and education pathways of Pacific learners over this time. The report shines a light on challenges and shares successful strategies.

Ko tā te pūrongo nei, he whakatakoto i ngā whakaaro huritao o ngā Kōhanga Reo mō tō rātou ake huarahi mātauranga. Kua kapohia atu ō rātou wawata ngātahi ki te whakarāpopototanga o ngā āhuatanga i whakaraupapahia ai ki te Whanaungatanga, te Rautaki, ngā Tikanga Māori, te Whakarauora i te Reo Māori, ngā Kaumātua, te Ako: Te Whakaako me te Ako, me te Ārahitanga.

This report is the reflection of Kōhanga Reo on their particular educational approach. Their collective aspirations are captured within the summary of conditions outlined as Whanaungatanga, Strategy, Tikanga Māori, Te Reo Resurgence, Kaumātua, Ako: Teaching and Learning, and Leadership.

E whakaatu ana tēnei pūrongo i te huarahi i whāia e Ngā Kura ā-Iwi ki te whakawhanake i a rātou anō ā-tangata takitahi, ā-whānau, ā-kura hoki. Kua kapohia atu ō rātou wawata ngātahi ki te whakarāpopototanga o ngā e kīia ana ko te Ako: Te Whakaako me te Ako; ko Te Whānau me te Whai Hononga; ko ngā Tikanga Māori; ko te Tuakiri. Ka whakatakoto tēnei aromātai i ngā whakaaturanga whai wheako e pā ana ki ngā Manu Pīrere, ki ā rātou whakatutukitanga, ā, ka tautohu i ngā āhuatanga puta noa i tō rātou huarahi ako.

This report is the reflection of Kura ā-Iwi on their developmental journeys, both as individuals, whānau and as kura. Their collective aspirations are captured within the summary of conditions outlined as Ako: Teaching & Learning, Whānau & Connectedness, Tikanga Māori (Māori process and protocol), and Tuakiri: Identity.

Kei te pūtake o tēnei pūrongo, koia ko te whakaaro huritao tahi o ngā kura kaupapa Māori i whai wāhi mai, arā, ko te huarahi i whāia ā-whānau kura, ā-tangata takitahi hoki, he kōrero mō ngā wawata o te katoa i whakatinanahia ai ki te whakatūnga, te whakapakaritanga, me te tiaki tonu hoki o ō rātou ake kura, me ā rātou ake kaupapa.

Central to this report is the common reflection of participating kura kaupapa Māori, that their journeys, both as individuals and as kura whānau, are stories of collective aspirations held within the narrative of establishment, building and subsequent maintenance of their respective kura and kaupapa.

I roto i Te Kura Huanui: Ko ngā kura o ngā ara angitu, ko ngā uiui me ngā whānau Māori, kaiārahi, kaiako, kaimahi, kaumātua hoki e tūhura ana i te ngākau titikaha o ngā hapori ki te whakarauora, ki te whakapakari hoki i te reo Māori me ngā tikanga Māori mō ā rātou mokopuna, tamariki, uri whakatupu anō hoki. 

Te Kura Huanui: The treasures of successful pathways and supporting documentaries explore the Māori-medium education pathway, through a rich collection of interviews and research conducted in partnership with early founders, whānau, leaders, graduates, kaiako, kaimahi and kaumatua.

Children and young people who are placed in Oranga Tamariki residential care are among the most at risk of poor outcomes later in life. Education can change that.  This report looks at the quality of education for students in Oranga Tamariki Care and Protection and Youth Justice residences and how it can be improved.

This short guide is for leaders and teachers that work with students in residential care. It draws from our report Learning in Residential Care, ‘They knew I wanted to learn’, sharing what we heard when we looked at the quality of education in Oranga Tamariki residential care, what research tells us about good education provision for these students, and actions leaders and teachers can take to strengthen teaching and learning in residential care.

This short guide is for social workers that work with students in residential care. It draws from our report Learning in Residential Care, ‘They knew I wanted to learn’, sharing what we heard when we looked at the quality of education in Oranga Tamariki residential care, what research tells us about good education provision for these students, and actions social workers can take to strengthen teaching and learning in residential care.

ERO looked at the quality of education for students in Oranga Tamariki Care and Protection and Youth Justice residences. During this, ERO talked to students about their learning in residential care. This short and easy to read guide is aimed at students in residential care and contains information on what students like them told us about their learning.

This short guide is for parents and whānau of students in residential care. It draws from our report Learning in Residential Care, ‘They knew I wanted to learn’, sharing what we heard when we looked at the quality of education in Oranga Tamariki residential care, what research tells us about good education provision for these students, and actions whānau can take to support students’ learning in residential care.

Children and young people who are placed in Oranga Tamariki residential care are among the most at risk of poor outcomes later in life. The education students receive in residence has the power to change their lives. ERO reviewed how well education is going in these settings. This summary describes what we found and our recommendations. This accompanies the full report Learning in residential care: They knew I wanted to learn.