Valuable and encouraging information from survey

Valuable and encouraging information from Ministry survey of principals

The first report of a three-year Ministry of Education-initiated study on the implementation of National Standards contains valuable information about where further support needs to be targeted, according to the Ministry of Education.

The report is part of the National Standards School Sample Monitoring and Evaluation Project and involved feedback from principals and an analysis of the formats schools used for mid-term reporting to parents. It was conducted in July, six months after National Standards were introduced.

Schools are required to report to parents twice a year in writing on how their child is progressing and achieving in relation to National Standards in mathematics, reading and writing.

Ministry of Education Group Manager: Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, Mary Chamberlain, says the report is encouraging, especially as the survey was taken after only six months of implementation

“Two-thirds of the 82 principals surveyed said they were ‘very’ or ‘moderately’ confident about leading the implementation of National Standards. However, many said they were ‘minimally’ or ‘not supported’ in their role. Since the survey in July we have provided substantially more support for principals and teachers and will continue to make this a priority.

“The Ministry is making significant changes to the way it supports school leaders by appointing regionally-based Student Achievement Specialists. They will work closely with school leaders to ensure they get high quality professional development. They will help schools interpret student achievement data and get access to the programmes and resources to help teachers make a difference for students who are struggling to make good progress,” said Mary Chamberlain.

The survey showed that principals had a good grasp of the standards, and the majority rated their understanding of plain language reporting to parents, students and reporting to their board as excellent or good.

The majority of schools reported National Standards achievement information in mid-year reports to parent, families and whānau. There was significant variation between schools in the way they used the standards to describe student achievement and the way in which they had presented this information in school reports.

“It is up to each school to decide how their communities want National Standards information presented. We are currently providing guidance for schools on what being ‘at’ the standard looks like for reading, writing and maths.”

Mary Chamberlain says the key element is that parents are clear about where their child sits in the relation to the standard for their year.

The next report from the National Standards School Sample Monitoring and Evaluation Project will be in March 2011. Other reports follow in March 2012 and 2013 with a final report due mid-2013.

Note: A summary of additional information is attached. The report can be viewed or downloaded at http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/schooling/83284

ENDS

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