Middle schooling in New Zealand

Middle schooling in New Zealand

Schooling for young adolescents in New Zealand (NZ) is problematic. Although NZ education has an enviable international reputation, the bipartite primary-secondary system has responded poorly to many young people who struggle to negotiate the transition between the two types of schooling. In this chapter we discuss the emergence of an indigenous middle schooling movement in NZ. We trace the history of middle level schooling from the first middle school in 1894, to a dalliance with a junior high school model in the 1920s, to the founding of the ubiquitous 'intermediate' school in the 1930s and, recently, the development of a handful of middle schools in the 1990s. We then evaluate current research and practice pertaining to middle level schooling in NZ. In particular we focus on current indictments on middle level schooling and recent reform efforts. We conclude by suggesting future directions for the education of young adolescents in NZ.

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