11. ALLAN PEACHEY (National—Tāmaki) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
When will national standards be introduced into English medium schools for years 1-8, and why?
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Education) Link to this
This Government is not prepared to accept so many students leaving our education system unable to read, write, and do maths anywhere near the level they need to succeed. National standards will be introduced into primary and intermediate schools next year, and schools will report progress against them to parents in plain English at least twice a year.
I have had many teachers, principals, and members of the public tell me that they support national standards. One example of support that I received last week said: “It is important to let you know that not all principals support the present frenzy against national standards. There are colleagues out there”—
Moana Mackey—I know that the Opposition does not want to hear this, but there are principals who support it—“who feel the same way but raising your head above the parapet in these times is a risky act.” I am confident that most schools around the country are happy to get on with implementing national standards, because they are worried that so many of our New Zealand kids are falling through the cracks.
What reports has the Minister seen from educational organisations suggesting that they may take industrial action over national standards next year?
I have seen a report suggesting just that, and I find it really disappointing that the unions want to stop parents from getting information about how their kids are doing. This Government is on the side of parents and on the side of kids. We want them to do well in our schools, we need them to do well in our schools, and national standards will help them do that.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Tēnā koe, Mr Speaker. Kia ora tātou. Is she concerned that whereas Pākehā children scored an average of 547 in the Programme for International Student Assessment for science, Māori children scored an average of 473 and Pasifika children scored an average of 441, and what action will she be taking in English medium schools to address the evident failure of those institutions to invest in the achievement of Māori and Pasifika students?
Of course we are concerned, and that is why we are introducing national standards. They will provide an excellent tool for schools to identify and support those students who are not achieving. That party sitting over there had 9 years in Government to do something, and all it did was talk while the gap between the top and the bottom got bigger.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
What is the name of one of the academics or assessment experts she told the House last week who supports both national standards and her Government’s implementation methods?