This study aims to identify the literacy skills of individuals whose highest level of education was in the field 'teacher training and educational sciences'. The study sample comprised 10,618 individuals in the field of teacher training and educational sciences, selected from 31 countries (participating in the International Adult Skills Assessment…

This paper outlines contexts, features, and trends of contemporary educational environments and educational change, describing findings from an international study that explored, benchmarked, and compared teacher and administrator career satisfaction, motivation, and mental health. The Teacher 2000 Project identified sources and strength of…

This paper presents the findings of a three-way comparison of teachers and school administrators in Australia, England, and New Zealand. The Teacher 2000 Project examined teachers' feelings about and reactions to teaching. Researchers used a seven section, self-report questionnaire that included items on demographics, orientation to teaching,…

This paper discusses fee-based services in public libraries. The first section examines examples of charging for public library services in three countries: the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland; and New Zealand. The intention is to consider the circumstances in which charging was introduced, the public's response in terms of the effect on…

Previous research has found that outside events seem to have little effect on happiness. Three studies in New Zealand were conducted to identify mental processes that give circumstances their favorable and unfavorable meanings. The first study examined the gap between aspiration and achievement in terms of income, education, physical fitness,…

Focusing on the experience of New Zealand, this paper is a response to a 1978 essay which suggested that a study be done to compare the programming patterns of television in the developed countries of Australia and New Zealand. Significant differences between the two nations are presented, including conspicuous discrepancies in television…

New Zealand's Special Education Policy Guidelines state that a learner's language and culture comprise a vital context for learning and development and must be considered when planning programs. During 1999-2001, surveys and interviews examined whether the needs of Maori students in special education were being met. Over the 3-year period, data…

A comparative study of the employment experiences of staff at nonprofit and privately owned childcare centers was conducted in the Christchurch, New Zealand, area. A total of 23 staff members at 3 nonprofit centers and 9 staff members at 2 privately owned centers responded to a survey concerning their qualifications, work history, current working…

Baseline data were gathered from 316 students in 3-year training programs at 6 New Zealand colleges of education in order to determine why the students chose to go into early childhood education, what early childhood service they expected to work in, and where they would be employed after they completed their training. Of the students who…

A survey examined the perceptions of parents and staff concerning the services provided to students (N=1,492) at 29 special education schools in New Zealand. Respondents were also asked to comment upon the possibility of including these students within regular school settings. Information was also collected regarding the demographic, ethnic, and…

The career intentions of a group of students enrolled in the first year of the Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood) at Palmerston North College of Education in New Zealand were studied. The research was prompted by a concern that most students aspired to work in kindergartens and few students were choosing to enter child care occupations. A…