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New Zealand Principals Federation
Annual Moot Steve Maharey
Minister of Education
24 March 2006
The Moot
That the learner be put at the
heart of our education system
The founding values of our education system
"The government's objective, broadly
expressed, is that every person,
whatever his level of academic ability,
whether he live in town or country,
has a right, as a citizen, to a free
education of the kind for which he is
best fitted, and to the fullest extent
of his powers.“
C.E. Beeby, December 1938
Realising this vision today requires us to
again re-orient our system
Values are the same but method must be
different
C E Beeby
"So far is this from being a mere pious
platitude that the full acceptance of
the principle will involve the
reorientation of the education system."
The old approach
One-size fits all
'know-what' not 'know how'
Chalk and talk
Expectations often based on stereotypes
Learning confined to the classroom
The new approach
Learner directed
Responsive to individual needs
Recognition of different learning styles Demanding achievement for all students Learning opportunities beyond the
classroom
Transformation We need to transform New Zealand's economy - for this we need a knowledge-
based society Education system must have strong sense
of its role in creating a knowledge society Focus must be on driving up standards for all students
Transformation in Education
To lift standards for all students, we are putting the learner at the centre. It's part of: How we teach What we teach How we assess
How we teach
• Focus on the classroom teacher
• High expectations for all students
• Inclusive approach
Is this making a difference?What else could we be doing?
What we teach
Key skills for learning and life
Curriculum underpins classroom teaching
Revised curriculum will strengthen school ownership
Key competencies set at national level
Schools develop content to meet the
needs of their students in their community
Is this making a difference?What else could we be doing?
How we assess
Standards set at national level
Classroom-based assessment ongoing –
builds comprehensive picture of
achievement of each student
Mix of assessment tools and methods, formal
and informal
e.g. AsTTle, exemplars, classroom
observations, NCEA
How we assess cont.
Good assessment: Provides useful info to schools, parents, employers and education providers Requires good knowledge of students Gives students feedback on where they’re at, as well as next steps Provides teachers with information about their practice
Is this making a difference?What else could we be doing?
My role
To be an advocate for our education system
"The government's objective, broadly expressed,
is that every person, whatever his level of
academic ability, whether he live in town or
country, has a right, as a citizen, to a free
education of the kind for which he is best fitted,
and to the fullest extent of his powers.“
C.E. Beeby, December 1938
