11. ALLAN PEACHEY (National—Tāmaki) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
What recent announcements has the Government made about the national standards policy?
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Education) Link to this
On Friday morning the Prime Minister and I launched the final version of the national standards policy at Glen Taylor School in Glendowie. The standards to be introduced in English medium primary and intermediate schools next year support the New Zealand curriculum by setting clear, consistent expectations of student achievements from years 1 to 8 in reading, writing, and mathematics.
The standards were deliberately developed so that students achieving the standard are on track to obtain at least National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 2. NCEA level 2 is the minimum requirement for entry into industry training options such as Modern Apprenticeships. I acknowledge that it is a high standard when just under 30 percent of our students currently leave school without NCEA level 2, but it is also a minimum level of achievement that our young New Zealanders need so that when they leave the education system they have a qualification that gives them the options that they deserve.