This audit examined how well the Department of Education and Communities monitors and supports young people at school or on an approved alternate pathway until they reach 17 years of age. Studies here and overseas have found that teenagers who leave school early are two and a half times more likely to be unemployed, earn...

The extant findings of the 2006 Adult Literacy and Lifeskills survey are examined and some further quantitative analysis is undertaken to clarify the numeracy skills of New Zealand women. Fundamental questions are raised about both the design of the ALL survey and the relevance of the numeracy assessment questions used in the survey for investigating...

This report sets out the findings from research into the Back on Track alternative provision pilots. These projects stemmed from a commitment in the 2008 White Paper, Back on Track: A strategy for modernising alternative provision for young people (DCSF, 2008), to transform the quality of alternative education for those who are excluded from, or...

This policy paper examines the impact of rising rates of school suspension on vulnerable children and young people. Often, the students suspended from school are those who can least afford to be absent from the classroom. Indeed, certain groups of students, including children and young people in out-of-home care, Aboriginal students and children with disabilities...

This Local Government Association commissioned report helps collate case study examples of local authorities supporting schools in their enhanced role to provide independent and impartial careers guidance to young people. Eight LAs were selected by the LGA and NFER carried out telephone interviews with the key strategic lead on the transition of careers guidance from...