National Standards-what Parliamentary Services think
In 2010 in New Zealand National Standards for reading, writing and mathematics are being implemented in all schools with Year 1-8 students. Standards aim to set clear expectations of what knowledge, understanding and skills students should be achieving at each year level to be on track to achieve NCEA Level 2.
Charlotte Oakley of the Parliamentary Library has been evaluating the introduction of National Standards and has just published her findings. The paper begins by providing an overview of the Standards and outlines the rationale for the initiative. The second part of the paper looks at previous assessment and reporting practices in schools compared to the framework required under National Standards. Finally, potential issues with the Standards are analysed. Key points are listed below, but I urge anyone interested in this subject to read the full report on the NZ Parliament website.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
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Teachers are required to assess students’ in relation to the Standards twice a year and provide plain language reports to parents. Requirements for assessment and reporting under National Standards are more prescriptive than previous assessment and reporting requirements. |
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Schools may not have time and sufficient professional development support to become familiar with the National Standards and develop effective moderation processes before they are required to implement the National Standards in mid 2010. |
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The Standards have been designed and implemented in a short time frame that has not allowed a trial to determine whether they have been set at the correct level. |
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Students assessed as not achieving the Standards could lose motivation for learning, affecting their achievement. Enhanced student achievement is an aim of the Standards, yet National Standards themselves do not raise achievement levels; it is the teaching and learning that is invested in students that improves achievement levels. This may not be adequately provided for under the Standards. |
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Schools are concerned that their results may unfairly categorise some schools as failing. |
The report makes interesting reading and supports many of the concerns that the teaching profession has been voicing about the introduction, particularly the speed of implementation and the lack of effective professional development to support their use. It will be facinating to hear the Minister’s response to this evaluation.
July 13th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
The Minister’s response WAS fascinating – she had the document pulled from the library and removed from the NZ Parliament website.
I didn’t think such a thing could happen in NZ!! I read Ms Oakley’s Paper and found it to be a good summary of the current research – much of which was sited directly from the Ministry itself and from members of the Advisory committee the Minister herself appointed.
I’m not quite sure what the Minister found to be so offensive? or “unprofessional” to use her words?
Strange days in NZ Education I tell you!