ERO report on National Standards shows gaps

4 May 2011

The National Standards Sector Advisory Group (NSSAG) says the ERO report released today presents a substantially different picture to the rhetoric from a vocal minority opposed to the standards.

Chairman Gary Hawke says the second ERO report: Working with National Standards has very encouraging news.

The report found that 90 per cent of schools were either well prepared or had preparation under way to work with the National Standards.

“The report shows a positive picture of momentum building around implementation with only a small number of schools being unwilling or unable to implement National Standards.”

NSSAG has recommended that continuing support be offered to Boards of Trustees to implement the standards Professor Hawke says future NSSAG meeting will also discuss how to support the schools which are not yet well prepared or working well with the standards.

“It is regrettable that NZEI is choosing not to be part of these ongoing discussions. The debate has now gone beyond simple generalities as NSSAG would like to engage on specific issues with NZEI as well as with the sector in other ways.

“The group believes the implementation of National Standards is going in the right direction and that we should continue on this path of continuous improvement.”

The advisory group is also recommending to the Minister that Boards should prepare their charters, which include National Standard targets, at the end of the previous school year, for the start of the school year.

ENDS

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