The Parents’ Alliance is calling on
Labour to clarify two of its education manifesto
policies.
Polling commissioned by the Parents’
Alliance found strong support for student achievement being
the paramount objective of school boards and overwhelming
support for standardised reporting of student progress to
parents.
“Labour’s manifesto proposes requiring school
boards to give effect to the Treaty of Waitangi,” said
Executive Director Anya Zohrab.
“The
key question is whether student achievement will remain the
paramount objective for school boards. That matters because
it shapes decisions on resourcing, school directed teacher
professional development, and the focus of
schools.”
Ms Zohrab said Parents’ Alliance polling
found 56 per cent of New Zealanders and 48 per cent of
Labour voters support student achievement being the
paramount objective for school boards. Just nine per cent of
New Zealanders and 12 per cent of Labour voters polled were
opposed, with the remainder neutral or unsure.
“The
Parents’ Alliance of course supports requirements for
schools to pursue equitable outcomes for Māori students,
provide access to te reo Māori, and reflect New Zealand’s
cultural diversity.
“What we want Labour to clarify is
whether giving effect to the Treaty would be a secondary
obligation in support of student achievement, or whether it
would become a co-equal objective that changes the focus for
school boards.”
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Ms Zohrab said Labour’s proposal to
move away from standardised assessment also raises important
questions.
“Parents need clear and consistent
information about how their children are performing at
school. The quality of reporting on children’s achievement
should not be a postcode lottery. Parents should be able to
expect the same standard of reporting regardless of where
they live.”
“Our polling found 77 per cent of adults
and 63 per cent of Labour voters support common reporting on
achievement. Only 6 per cent opposed.”
She said any
move away from standardised assessment should explain how
parents would continue to receive objective information
about progress, or identify problems.
“Standardised
testing also enables government to identify system-wide
learning gaps and target resources where they are most
needed, such as maths tutoring and teacher professional
development. Without reliable data, we risk flying blind as
a country when money is so tight.”
“These issues go to
the heart of school accountability and educational
achievement. Parents deserve clear answers before the
election on how Labour’s policies would affect both school
board priorities and the information schools provide to
families.”
About the Parents’
Alliance: The Parents’ Alliance Te Kotahitanga o
ngā Mātua, Le Lotogatasi o Mātua, ,
is a national group
building a collective voice for parents, grandparents and
whānau in
education.
