Chief Executive's Foreword

This year brings us to the final step in the implementation of NCEA.

I'd like to acknowledge the hard work of teachers around the country who have put a huge effort into making NCEA work for their students.

The implementation of level 3 and New Zealand Scholarship this year is exciting, not only because it is the final step, but because it will show finally that our new qualifications challenge top-level students.

There has been much said about the benefits of NCEA for those students who were not well served under the old qualification regime. Now it's time to recognise that NCEA is also a step forward for our best students.

NZQA has spent a lot of time in consultation with universities, the New Zealand Vice - Chancellors' Committee and other tertiary providers to ensure that the transition from University Bursaries to NCEA is as smooth as possible.

The University of Auckland has said that NCEA has enabled the sector to make more informed decisions about a student's admission because it provides a 'richer profile' of student achievement.

NZQA also continues to work with schools to ensure they are being given the opportunity to discuss NCEA implementation, and to share ideas and practices around assessment.

Our team of School Relationship Managers has just finished its annual series of presentations to Principals' Nominees and senior staff at every school in the country.

This is an excellent opportunity for us to receive information from schools as well as present it.

Feedback from the presentations backs up our view that teachers have successfully implemented NCEA and have rapidly moved on to make the most of the teaching and learning opportunities it presents.

This view was further confirmed with the release of a report from the Education Review Office (ERO) that said most schools surveyed had successfully implemented NCEA and were confident about implementing level 3.

I am extremely happy that our observations have been backed up by research from an independent body that specialises in educational evaluation.

A full account of the ERO report features in this issue of QA News.

It is clear that schools are not only confident about implementation but are now actively developing programmes to suit their own students. They are using the flexibility of the NCEA environment to select suitable unit standards and achievement standards to challenge all students, from the average to the very able.

Most importantly, schools are looking at the whole National Qualifications Framework and offering a wide range of qualifications that students can either complete or partially complete while at school. Forest View High School, profiled in this issue, is one such school and it is determined to have as many students as possible leave school with more than one National Certificate.

We are also continuing our campaign to bring employers up to speed with NCEA, providing them with brochures and hosting meetings with employer groups around the country to talk about how they can use NCEA results to get the right employee for the job.

Last month we launched new-look NCEA web pages that will provide easier and more efficient access to information about NCEA. This will assist teachers with access to assessment materials and the wider community with access to general information.

Of course, there is a lot happening in the qualifications world apart from NCEA. In particular, we are consulting on a number of new developments, especially to do with tertiary quality assurance. These consultation processes demonstrate the extent to which the Qualifications Authority relies on the input of the whole sector. Together, we continue to improve the quality of qualifications and education provision - all in the interests of learners.

Regards

Karen Van Rooyen