Show us the evidence - teachers demand cabinet paper

Show us the evidence - teachers demand cabinet paper

28 August 2017 - NZEI Te Riu Roa is demanding the Government immediately release its cabinet paper on "National Standards Plus" amid serious concerns about the impact it will have on children's learning, and their enjoyment at school.

The Government yesterday announced plans to spend millions on a computer tool to track children's progress in National Standards.

"Teachers need to know why the Government wants to expand National Standards when virtually all experts say they narrow children's learning, cause them unnecessary stress and aren't raising achievement," NZEI immediate past president Louise Green said.

"There is no evidence that expanding National Standards will work to achieve anything positive for children's learning, and plenty of evidence they don't. This announcement looks like it's driven entirely by politics, not what's in the interests of children.

"We need to know what the decision to expand National Standards was based on. Recent evidence shows National Standards have failed to raise achievement, while causing additional stresses and anxiety among children.

"The tragedy of this announcement is that educators know what works for children, but the Government is refusing to do it. Children need more time with teachers, access to support for additional learning needs and to a rich modern curriculum that's not limited by 20th century ideas about the 'three Rs'."

"It's time to get politics out of the classroom, and focus on giving kids the best education in the world based on evidence about what works," Ms Green said.

ENDS

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