Benefits to standards review extension

The extension of the standards review timeframe by a year will allow fit-for-purpose standards and quality resources and exemplar materials to be provided.

The Minister of Education, Hon Anne Tolley announced in December the joint Ministry of Education (MoE) and NZQA review of curriculum based unit and achievement standards would be extended by one year. Implementation will be progressive. This will allow revised level one standards to be implemented in 2011, followed by level two standards in 2012 and level three standards in 2013.

NZQA Deputy Chief Executive, Qualifications, Bali Haque said, "The extension of time will mean the job will be done well, and include resources and exemplars teachers have been asking for."

The principles paper, developed by a group of representatives from throughout the education sector, continues to underpin the review, which is being carried out by subject experts (writing groups) from subject associations.

"Most subject writing groups have now developed a matrix of standards needed to assess the new curriculum and many have consulted with their sector about the suitability of this matrix," Bali says.

The subject writing groups met in Wellington on 12 and 13 February to discuss key issues including:

• the relative place of unit and achievement standards in curriculum-based subjects
• the prescription in standards of specific contexts for the assessment of content concepts, knowledge and skills
• the balance of internally and externally assessed standards
• the impact of the review on qualification options for students
• grade distinctions in standards
• further assessment opportunities.

Between now and the end of May, draft standards will be developed and circulated to teachers for comment. The final draft standards for all three NCEA levels should be available by the end of July. The development of resources and exemplars will then take place, with priority being given to level one as the first level to be implemented.