Reporting and National Standards

At the end of next term all parents will receive an interim (mid-year) report that is linked explicitly to the much talked about National Standards (NS). The report format will look very similar to last year's Learning Plan that was constructed at the Learning Conferences but will this time refer explicitly to achievement levels linked to the National Standards. Last week the New Zealand Primary Principal's Federation passed a motion of no confidence in the NS policy so I have a feeling the issue may be in the news again while I am writing this information to you. I thought it was important to reinforce the beliefs about the NS that I hold and the position our BOT has taken in regard to the standards.

As a BOT we are committed to meeting our obligation in regard to the NS. This means we are writing targets in relation to the standards, will report twice a year in relation to the standards and collect student achievement information in relation to the standards. However I do have some serious misgivings about the NS. They have been hurriedly put together by a group of so-called experts (so are questionable in terms of validity) and have the potential to narrow our curriculum substantially.

As a BOT and staff we are committed to ensuring all parents receive accurate achievement information about their children and have developed rigourous systems for collecting and analysing student achievement information over the last two years. This means we are already identifying 'at-risk' students and doing what we can to ensure all students achieve to their potential. I know that the NS will have little to no effect on improving the procedures we have in place for ensuring all children achieve.

It is interesting to note that countries who have had 'standards-based' systems such as the USA and UK are now realising that this pathway is not one that leads to higher student achievement at all. In fact evidence suggests that it is more successful in increasing the number of disengaged students in primary education. Leading performers (Finland, Japan, Canada) in international education assessments such as PISA are now in many cases lowering the amount of external accountability (eg. reporting NS results) processes for schools and giving teachers and schools more autonomy. Incidentally NZ places 7th in reading, 14th in numeracy and 4th in science on these exams.

We are determined to get the best out of what is a questionable education policy. We will ensure the achievement and engagemnet of students in a wide range of curriculum activities remains at the forefront of our decision-making. Whatever we do as a BOT and staff will put the interests of our students and families first and government policy second. Primary school is much more than just reading, writing and maths!

I would really appreciate your feedback on this topic!