Secondary teacher workload study : report.

Lawrence Ingvarson, ACER
Elizabeth Kleinhenz, ACER
Adrian Beavis, ACER
Helena Barwick, ACER
Imelda Carthy, ACER
Jenny Wilkinson, ACER

Abstract

This research, carried out by the Australian Council for Educational Research in 2004, looks at the hours worked, the kinds of work performed and the manageability of that work, for principals, middle managers and teachers in New Zealand secondary schools. This study was a recommendation of the Ministerial Taskforce on Secondary Teacher Remuneration which reported in 2003. The research was commissioned by the Ministry of Education. Fieldwork was initially conducted in twenty schools, mainly through individual interviews with principals and a small selection of middle managers and teachers. This work assisted the preparation of the survey instruments. The study consisted of a comprehensive survey of all secondary schools and detailed case studies of six schools. Detailed case studies were written up for six schools. These schools were selected to provide a cross-section of school types and a range of workload issues. The research identified 'moderate to severe' workload problems among teachers and managers in New Zealand secondary schools. A range of support measures that could be developed was suggested.