Supporting National Standards

Hon Anne Tolley
Minister of Education

28 January 2010
Media Statement

Supporting National Standards

Today’s report in the Dominion Post which suggests that $26 million is being spent on a “charm offensive” on National Standards is wrong, says Education Minister Anne Tolley.

The headline in the newspaper, “$26 million to win over parents on tests”, is both misleading and completely inaccurate.

“$26 million has been made available to provide training and support to teachers, principals and boards of trustees to help with the implementation of Standards in reading, writing and maths,” says Mrs Tolley.

“This is in addition to the $36 million over four years which will be used to support schools which have identified students who need help.

“It shows the commitment this Government has to improving the lives of the one in five students who leave school without the literacy and numeracy skills they need to succeed.

“I’m looking forward to travelling around the country over the next few months and speaking to parents and communities about how National Standards will benefit children.”

Projected costs for teacher training and support (all GST exclusive)

Component/Numeracy and Literacy/Assessment /Leadership

* Provision of information workshops/$3.0m/$1.1m/$1.25m

* In-depth training and support/$12.7m/$1.8m/$1.25m

* New teachers /$1.8m/ - / -

* Tertiary qualifications subsidy /$0.6m/ - / -

* Teachers of English language learners/$1.34m/ - / -

* National and regional facilitator training and development/$0.4m/ - / -

* Totals/$19.84m/$2.90m/$2.50m

ENDS