Reo Māori Schools Trial

All teachers who took part in the 1998 Reo Māori trials plan to use unit standards again in 1999. As a result of the trial, revised Reo Māori unit standards have been registered and new assessment resources have been published.

NQF on Air Te Tari o Te Pou take part in fortnightly radio programmes in te reo Māori on two iwi radio stations - Pumanawa FM in Rotorua and Atiawa FM in Wellington. Iwi stations asked for information about NZQA, the National Qualifications Framework and whether National Certificates really make a difference for Māori learners. The pro-grammes allow NZQA to target a small but very important stakeholder group - fluent Māori speakers. Māori clients in the regions also get timely and up-to-date information about the Framework. The Pumanawa FM programme is broadcast in the morning of every second Monday. The Atiawa FM programme goes to air in the after-noon every second Wednesday.

Thirty schools took part in the 1998 trial of reo Māori unit standards at Framework levels 1 - 2. Trial teachers surveyed by an independent consultant expressed a positive attitude to standards based assessment. All teachers involved in the trial were intending to assess against standards this year.



Staff from the Qualifications Authority’s Te Tari o Te Pou visited all schools requesting one-on-one assistance and Education Advisory Services also provided assistance in their regions. Teachers received newsletters and had access to a telephone helpline. Four resource develop-ment hui were held to produce resources and manage-ment systems for use in schools.



Following the Reo Māori trial, the unit standards were revised, amended and approved for re-registration by the Whakaruruhau Reo Māori . The revised standards incorporate improvements suggested by trial schools. Resources have been aligned to the revised standards and will be distributed to all schools as the assessment guide Te Aratohu Aromatawai Reo Māori 1999.



Te Aratohu Aromatawai Reo Māori 1999 includes information on unit standards and unit standard titles and elements in Māori and English, sample programmes, assessment outlines, assessment activities and schedules for levels 1 - 3, resources for level 4, information on moderation and assessment design, and a glossary.



Sections of Te Aratohu Aromatawai Reo Māori will also be distributed to schools on CD ROM.

Hone Oneroa, from Wairarapa College, and Jackie Awa (seated), from Parkway College, discuss details of Te Aratohu Aromatawai Reo Māori 1999.