"Endeavouring to achieve an appropriate balance between accountability and autonomy remains one of the most challenging and exciting policy and management tasks facing today’s and tomorrow’s educational leaders in their pursuit of the dual results of the best use of resources and enhanced teaching and learning."

The approach in this review of evaluation services has been to follow the Picot model of "Administering for Excellence" with the development of a model for "Achieving Excellence" using the theme of self-management, self-review and self-improvement to deliver both accountability and accountability. A model has been recommended which has the following components: strategic thinking, strategic planning, statements of performance indicators, the Board document assuring compliance, self-review, quantitative and qualitative measurement, monitoring and analysis, Accountability Reviews and reporting.

The focus has been on quality learning and equity of opportunity for learning. Effective learning depends on setting high expectations and goals and determining how well these are being met. The demands on teachers are very great and it is unlikely they will abate. The community wants effective education and care provided by good schools and good centres. This review has taken the high ground and rejected as totally unacceptable the notion "that if you do not know where you are going any destination will do."

The model proposed is designed to:

• Maintain the autonomy of institutions.

• Enhance the delivery of education.

• Improve accountability through internal mechanisms for planning against which audit can occur.

• Better inform the Crown and, so, New Zealand, about the investment it makes in education to achieve social and economic progress.

They do make a difference but that difference is currently variable. It can be better! Schools and centres can be better places! Effectiveness depends on commitment, a sense of purpose, liking and understanding children and their different learning styles, setting clear goals and expectations. Effectiveness is about caring enough to want to make a difference.

Genuine involvement in children’s learning is very satisfying for professionals among whom there is considerable goodwill to ensure quality education outcomes. Capturing, appreciating and enhancing that goodwill is a responsibility that should not be underestimated by decision makers, policy advisers, Boards of Trustees, Principals and the teachers themselves.

The vision in this review is to establish teaching as a research informed profession: with teachers who are highly skilled, knowledgeable, valued and accountable; led by principals who are committed to functioning as professional educational leaders; and boards whose conviction embraces the concerns of today’s parents and tomorrow’s citizens.

A spirit of reform has pervaded New Zealand for a decade. We believe this review is a further contribution to the goal of quality education achieving excellence.

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