10. LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
When will parents receive plain English reports against the national standards and why?
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Education) Link to this
This Government has heard the calls from parents for school reports in plain language that they can understand, and for school reports that tell them how they can help their children to do better. That is why schools next year will report to parents in plain language, at least twice a year, on how their kids are doing and how the parents can help. That was a very clear message that we got from parents throughout both the election campaign and the consultation on national standards. That is what parents want and that is what we will make sure they get.
What reports has she seen of parents being concerned about the school reports that they currently receive, and why?
Parents strongly supported getting good information from schools about their child’s progress against the national standards, and we are delivering that for them. In the consultation round one parent said that schools need to provide “honesty, plain language, and no surprises.” Another parent said: “Honest reporting; tell me how he is really doing. I want reality—the good, the bad and the ugly”. We are very happy to be delivering that.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
In taking into account the development of plain English reporting, did she take into account Professor Hattie’s statement: “We advise that the descriptions and examples of the Standards are not sufficient, at this stage, to allow them to be applied consistently. Teachers will be forced to report to parents and principals to their Boards in ways that could not be trusted to be sufficiently consistent from teacher to teacher or school to school.”?
Yes, and I say to the member that we trust parents with the information about how well, or not, their children are doing. Parents want the information, they have a right to the information, and we will make sure that they get the information.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I know that this is slightly technical, but I am sure you will understand. I asked a question about the quality of the information that is to go to parents, not a question about the trust of the parents. The question was about trust in the standards.
Mr SPEAKER