Minister's Introduction
The debate between phonics versus whole language has reared its head again
with the release yesterday of a report into the teaching of reading by the
education and science select committee.
First let me explain that a select committee report is not an official
government report, but rather a report to government. The process now is
for the Government to respond in due course.
I only received a copy of the report myself yesterday morning and I have
not read it all. I would, however, like to clarify for those of you who
rely on the New Zealand Herald that they report does not favour phonics
over whole language learning. Rather, it reaches the conclusion that a
variety of approaches to teaching reading are desirable. I know this is
something that most primary teachers already practice.
One of the issues that worries me when reports like this are released is
that coverage of them tends to indicate that literacy levels in New Zealand
schools are despairingly low. They are not. There is always room for
improvement and I am certainly promoting that. But that is not an
indication that the current situation is terrible. There are a lot of
exciting initiatives in classrooms around the country. Proof of success was
illustrated in the recent release of the NEMP report into reading and
speaking. That showed a significant improvement in the results gained by
eight and 12 year olds.
I also know that teachers are constantly looking at ways to improve their
teaching of reading. I think the positive feedback we have had to the
recent announcement of literacy assessment tools is an example of the
willingness of teachers to strive for improvement.
Finally, I would like to make a small political point. One of the biggest
concerns I have in this area is the achievement rate of Maori and Pacific
students. If Maori and Pacific students were taken out of the equation,
New Zealand's international standing in reading would be much higher.
The Government decided last year to pay special attention to ways to help
alleviate those kind of gaps and lift achievement across the board. The
closing the gaps initiatives were largely slammed by political opponents.
It is somewhat ironic that those same political opponents are now asking
what we will do to improve reading in schools.
Trevor Mallard
Minister of Education
Further Staffing Detail
Further to the announcement on staffing in the last edition of Wise Up, the
Government has confirmed details of the increase in the teaching workforce.
From 2002, extra staffing entitlements will be:
0.1 Full Time Teacher Equivalent for management base staffing in all
schools.
Up to 0.4 FTTE in curriculum base staffing for schools with students in
years 9 to 13.
A reduction in the maximum average class size from 28 to 27 for schools
with students in years 1 to 8 and rolls less than 160.
Most primary schools will gain an extra 0.1 FTTE, while most secondary and
area schools will benefit by up to 0.5 FTTE. Some small non-rural schools
with students in years 1 to 8 will gain up to 1.0 FTTE because of the
reduction in the maximum average class size.
Schools that received extra staffing this year through the small/rural
staffing allowances will have some or all of that allowances converted to
entitlement staffing, and retain any balance as an allowance.
Trevor Mallard said the changes to the staffing orders mean an extra 380
full time teacher equivalent positions next year. This is 30 more than we
first estimated the improvements would amount to. Schools will be advised
of their staffing entitlements for 2002 next month after each school's
provisional roll for next year has been confirmed.
New Way Of Reviewing Kura Kaupapa Maori
Associate Minister of Education, the Hon Parekura Horomia, has announced a
new process and criteria to be used for reviewing Kura Kaupapa Maori
operating in accordance with Te Aho Matua.
"The Government recognises that, under Te Aho Matua, Kura Kaupapa Maori
have their own principles and tikanga to follow in the interests of the
children they are educating," Mr Horomia said.
The criteria were developed by a special Working Party made up of
representatives from Te Runanga Nui o Nga Kura Kaupapa Maori, the Ministry
of Education and the Education Review Office were represented on the
Working Party.
The criteria are available in te reo Maori and in English on ERO's website:
www.ero.govt.nz.
Year 4 To 6 Numeracy Study A Resounding Success
A report just published by the Ministry of Education has once again
confirmed the worth of the Government's efforts in providing quality
professional development for the country's teachers.
The report by Joanna Higgins of the Wellington College of Education
evaluates a pilot professional development programme Year 4 to 6 Numeracy
Exploratory Study, which is designed to improve the teaching and learning
of numeracy in primary school.
Year 4-6 teachers at primary schools in Auckland, Waikato and Wellington
participated in the pilot programme, and Dr Higgins' evaluation looks at
the impact on the professional knowledge and the classroom practices of
twelve of them. The teachers reported having a greater understanding of
mathematics content, particularly number, and of how they might teach it
more effectively.
An executive summary of the study is available on www.tki.org.nz
New Clusters For Tamaki And Waitakere
The Government has announced new initiatives to strengthen education in
Tamaki and Waitakere. Trevor Mallard and Parekura Horomia were in Auckland
last week to make the announcements.
The Tamaki Achievement Pathway Initiative involves a cluster of 13 schools
with a focus on enhancing the quality and effectiveness of the schools to
educate Maori and Pacific students.
"These schools have recognised the importance of developing solutions to
address the particular barriers to the educational achievement of their
students," Trevor Mallard said.
In Waitakere, eight secondary schools have signed a Heads of Agreement in
partnership with the Ministry of Education to work together on the
Waitakere Secondary Schools Academic Enhancement Initiative.
In the first 18 months, support will be available for developing the
initiative and for finalising and implementing specific school action
plans. The intention is to make Waitakere City secondary schools the
schools of choice for Waitakere students.
Early Assessment Help To Give New Entrants A Flying Start
Assessing new entrants is now playing a major role in ensuring that young
New Zealanders get a flying start when they first go to school,
School entry assessment covering numeracy, oral language and emergent
literacy, has been used in primary schools since 1997.
Trevor Mallard has released a report that captures the ideas and
experiences of both teachers and principals since entry assessment was
introduced. It analyses the experience gathered from over 30,000
assessments.
Assessing children a few weeks after they are first enrolled is now helping
primary schools to customise their programmes and organise their classes so
they closely suit the needs and ability of their new entrants. This new
analysis will help teachers even further to accurately identify the skills
and understandings that their new entrant children already have, about the
experiences they have had, and about the ways that they prefer to work.
Copies of the report have been sent to all schools.
New School Site In East Tamaki
The Government has purchased a four-hectare site for a new school in the
growing Auckland suburb of East Tamaki.
The proposed opening date for the new school is 2004, but this may be
revised if the rate of growth in the area changes. Sufficient land has
been purchased to allow for an early childhood education centre on the
Baverstock Road site.
Study Support Centres
Education Minister Trevor Mallard has recently announced the approval of
five study support centres in the wider Wellington region which
specifically cater for ethnic groups new to the country. The new centres
will cater for the Ethiopian, Sudanese, Eritrean, Somalian and Oromo
communities.
"It is a good chance to highlight the possibilities available in the
education system to cater for a diverse range of ethnic and cultural
backgrounds," Trevor Mallard said.
"Children from Ethnic groups recently arrived in New Zealand often face
similar challenges adapting to a new school system. Attending one of these
centres can help the process of acclimatisation, while also providing a
place where they can keep in touch with the language and traditions of
their home countries.
"Its great that the centres have the capability of reaching out and helping
different groups of children."
Workbase Literacy Projects
The Government has announced funding of nearly half a million dollars for
three workbase literacy projects in Hawke's Bay, Wanganui and Manawatu, and
the Bay of Plenty.
Industry and Regional Development Minister Jim Anderton and Associate
Education Minister Marian Hobbs said the initiatives complement the
government's Adult Literacy Strategy, and are part of the government's
approach to enhancing
skills at all levels.
In the Hawke's Bay and Bay of Plenty, Workbase and local businesses will
working together to help raise the literacy, English language and numeracy
skills of the workforce. The Wanganui Manawatu project will involve staff
at meat processing firms.
More than 40 percent of New Zealand adults have problems with reading,
writing and numeracy skills, which can prevent them from realising their
full potential in jobs. Employers are finding poor literacy can make it
difficult to introduce modern systems of work organisation and new
technologies.
CONTACTS AND SUBSCRIPTION
Receive Wise Up by e-mail
Hon Trevor Mallard - Minister of Education
Fax: 04 495 8448 e-mail: tmallard@ministers.govt.nz
Hon Steve Maharey - Associate Minister of Education (tertiary)
Fax: 04 495 8443 e-mail: smaharey@ministers.govt.nz
Hon Lianne Dalziel - Associate Minister of Education (special education; transport)
Fax: 04 495 8463 e-mail: ldalziel@ministers.govt.nz
Hon Marian Hobbs, Associate Minister of Education
Fax: 04 495 8467 e-mail: mhobbs@ministers.govt.nz
Hon Parekura Horomia - Associate Minister of Education (Maori education)
Fax: 04 495 8457 e-mail: phoromia@ministers.govt.nz
