My take on implications
- Even small improvements, or arrested decline, provide some hope — and yes, I know “hope isn’t a plan”, but it can be a motivator for seeking further and more substantial improvements.
- There is little here to give politicians or any ilk bragging rights. These 15-year-olds would have had two years under National, six years under Labour, and two further years under National. The curriculum changes under National will have had little or no effect, although positive energy around improving achievement may have helped.
- These students also endured the Covid response, which possibly gives further hope that children can achieve despite tough times.
- There is a lot more to do, and the concerns around the huge gaps related to socio-economics remain. The fact that NZ’s total EQI spend is only $250 million — as little as 3% of funding for the highest-EQI schools — is a major issue that needs addressing. A more detailed and consistent curriculum may have marginal effects on equity, but there is a great deal more to be done to close the gaps, as a public education system should.
My full analysis is here (Kiwiblog).
Republished with permission from the author’s Substack.
Image credit: Element5 Digital
