Scholarship Advisory Groups set up

The Board of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority has announced the membership of two groups set up as part of an overall plan to ensure Scholarship 2005 goes smoothly.

The technical and process advisory groups were established following recommendations from the Scholarship Reference Group which looked into the degree of variability in scholarships awarded in different subjects last year.

The Scholarship Technical Advisory Group will monitor and advise on the implementation of changes to Scholarship recommended by the Scholarship Reference Group.

To ensure greater consistency in the number of Scholarships awarded, an agreed proportion of the best students in each subject will receive an award. This proportionality was recommended by the Scholarship Reference Group.

The Scholarship Processes Advisory Group is a larger group that includes people with extensive experience in secondary schools. This group will oversee the implementation of the revised Scholarship system and work with NZQA so that Scholarship awards are transparent. It will advise both the Board of NZQA and the Secretary for Education.

NZQA Acting Board Chair Catherine Gibson says she's delighted to announce the members of the groups, which are made up of education and assessment experts.

"The assistance and insight from those on the two advisory groups will be incredibly valuable because they will provide independent validation of the awards."

NZQA sent out a postcard reminder to secondary students' homes about entering for Scholarship.

Professor Gary Hawke, Head of School of Government at Victoria University, is chairing both groups. Joining him on the technical advisory group is John Hattie, Professor of Faculty of Education at the University of Auckland, and Terry Crooks, Professor of Education and Co Director of the Educational Research Unit at Otago University.

The Scholarship Processes Advisory Group also includes Karen Dobric, Senior Lecturer at the Manukau Institute of Technology, Peter Allen, Director of the School for Professional Development at the Christchurch College of Education, John Langley, Dean of Faculty of Education at University of Auckland � Teachers' College, Shona Smith, Deputy Principal of Waitakere College and Barbara Cavanagh, Principal of Te Awamutu College.

It's expected that each group will meet at least three times.