All stories

It's not 1-in-5 who are failing, it's less than 1-in-10

2012-02-09T00:06:59Z

Emeritus Professor Terry Crooks (who specialised in student assessment at Otago University) supplied this analysis of the 2010 NCEA level 2 results.

He concludes that only around 7% of students leave year 8 ill-prepared to pass NCEA level 2. The 1-in-5/20%-are-failing statistic much-beloved of politicians includes students who are on track to pass level 2 but who drop out of school or don't sit the tests, and students with serious disabilities. New Zealand's problem is that too many capable Maori students drop out of high school.

Charter schools - why would you bother?

2012-01-19T02:18:17Z

The President of the education sector union NZEI Te Riu Roa says the biggest question New Zealanders should be asking about charter schools is - why?

Reporting National Standards Data

2012-01-19T02:17:00Z

Attention Board of Trustee Chairs and Principals from NZEI, NZPF and BTAC

Dear Colleagues
The National Government has been re-elected with an education manifesto that includes an increased emphasis on reporting student achievement at both school level and system level. There will be a requirement for Boards to "publish annual plans, provisional targets, and achievements by 28 February each year". The National Party says it will "shift the resourcing model, so it incentivises performance," with Education Minister Anne Tolley reported as saying this means paying top performing schools more.

Additive-free schools

2012-01-19T02:14:42Z

By Julienne Law

Children and adults who live on fast food or any food that is packed with chemicals will be adversely affected to some degree. Watch children after a birthday party and you will understand how some children behave on a daily basis. Dealing with this aspect of child abuse has not been explored. Child abuse is not confined to lower socio economic families because all have to eat.

The problem of charter schools

2012-01-19T02:12:28Z

by Liz Gordon, Quality Public Education Coalition

Charter schools have been around in parts of the United States for nearly two decades. They are attractive there because the US school system, with Federal, State, City and School District levels is very top heavy with bureaucracy. Also, high levels of poverty in many city areas have impacted on school outcomes. As a result, many groups have felt that they could ‘do better’, given the chance.

Makeover time

2012-01-19T02:05:18Z

It’s never been more important to be professional and look the part.
Former kindergarten teacher turned fashion stylist, Rachel Annett, spent a day
with Hutt Valley kindergarten teacher Carolyn Evans. Here’s her advice

Rachel can be contacted at: email t.saunders@clear.net.nz, ph 021 053 5426

Internet innovations will shape education this year

2012-01-19T01:44:14Z

Four e-learning educators sum up 2011 and predict the ICT highlights of 2012. Sarah Jones reports.

National Standards: narrow-minded

2012-01-19T01:40:56Z

Pressure is coming on teachers to narrow the curriculum as National Standards begin to bite. Diana Clement investigates

The tragedy of closed school pools

2012-01-19T01:38:45Z

Gone are the days when the sound of children splashing in the pool was part of the fabric of summer school days. Elizabeth Brown looks into New Zealand’s growing poolside crisis.

The Canterbury Tales

2012-01-19T01:35:10Z

As the first anniversay of the devastating February quake approaches, a few of the many local heroes share their stories.