Choice For Parents; Success For Students
Education is the key to advancement at all levels in society. The state education system, however, is seriously under-performing. Government monopoly has caused too many young New Zealanders to leave school ill-equipped to develop their full potential. The personal and social consequences are immense. ACT will put the focus on students where it belongs. School choice can change incentives, empower parents, enable talented teachers to be rewarded and give students a greater opportunity to succeed.
ACT’s goals
Every child to arrive at school
ready to learn
Every child to have access to competent
schooling
Every child to learn to read, write and do
maths
New Zealand to be in the top five countries
in the world in reading, mathematics and
science
Students and parents empowered through real
choice
ACT believes
Parents can make better
decisions about their children’s future than the
Government
The education system is failing because
parents have been disempowered by government ownership,
regulation and funding
The problem is largely with the
system, not with the teachers
Government should ensure
access to quality schools. Effective choice, not blanket
government ownership, is essential
Schools must be freer
to reward merit and excellence in teaching
Successful
boards or schools must be able to take over
poorly-performing boards or schools, subject to proper
processes
ACT will
Ensure regular monitoring of
each child's performance through standards and
Assessment
Move to bulk fund all schools
Enable
parents to take their child’s share of government funding
and use it on a school of their choice, whether it be state
or privately-owned
Give schools greater ability to run
their own affairs
Review the school curriculum to
ensure it emphasises excellence in the core Subjects
Take
an integrated approach to education and welfare
ENDS