Help for third-form transition

By RENEE KIRIONA

Third formers, often left floundering after making the move to secondary education, will be studied in a Government-funded project aimed at smoothing their path.

A Ministry of Education study will examine how students cope during and after their transition and find ways to help students make the move.

The ministry will monitor more than 100 Year 8, or form two, students in Auckland and Wellington as they progress through the first and second years of high school this year and next year.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard, who released a University of Waikato review of research yesterday, said there was a decline in achievement for many students during their transition, and that the experience could be stressful for children used to the "more nurturing environment" of primary school.

In August, the Education Review Office found that third and fourth formers may require specialised schools of their own.

At the time, Mr Mallard said the report could mean more middle schools being established for forms one to four.

State secondary schools with students from third to seventh forms (Years 9 to 13) were found to provide the lowest education standards compared with other types.

Mr Mallard said the study would show the ministry what it could do to make things better for students. In particular, there was little research about Maori and Pacific Island students and "at risk" students.

"Students will be interviewed about their views on school, their own learning and achievement, extracurricular activities and their experiences of transition," Mr Mallard said.

Ann Harlow, a co-author of the Waikato review, said it was not surprising that students struggled with the transition.

"We've got to remember that students at this time in their lives are finding out so much about themselves and to be put into a totally new environment with thousands of other students can be difficult."

While students at middle schools would not be in the study Mrs Harlow believed it was a solution to the transition problem.

Last year's ERO report found middle-school students outperformed those at other schools serving Years 9 and 10 but the data on them was too limited.