Principals boycott 'sad day'

JOHN SELKIRK/The Dominion Post

IF YOU'RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT: John Key and Education Minister Anne Tolley at Glen Taylor School, Glendowie, for the introduction of the new national standards.

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Principals boycotted the introduction of the Government's national standards policy for primary schools, fearing the whole process will end in chaos.

Parents are divided by the changes, which Prime Minister John Key has hailed as one of the most important steps his government will make.

The Principals Federation, which branded the introduction a "sad day", called for the standards to be scrapped and wanted the Government to start from scratch. Federation president Ernie Buutveld said schools could already identify pupils at risk of not achieving and make changes themselves.

"When you go to an event, generally you are there to support it. In our heart of hearts the profession can't support this.

"It needs a very serious second look otherwise it could all end in chaos."

NZEI, the primary teachers' union, said the standards were being rushed and schools, also dealing with an extensive overhaul of the national curriculum, needed more time to prepare.

However, the Government insists schools will be able to cope.

Prime Minister John Key, attending the launch of the standards at an Auckland primary school yesterday, said: "Parents want and deserve clear information on how their children are doing at school.

"Parents can't help if they don't know there is a problem in the first place."

The standards for numeracy and literacy mean parents will be able to assess their children's progress against national academic standards.

Mr Key credited Auckland University professor John Hattie as one of his main inspirations for the scheme, but Mr Hattie has put the Government on two years' notice to prove it is using the system correctly.

"There is an incredible opportunity here if we get it right, there is a disaster if we get it wrong."

He called for an independent evaluation within two years to see if the standards had improved teaching and learning.

To ensure the policy is being conducted accurately, the Education Review Office will quiz schools when it carries out its annual reviews next year. It will then prepare a national report.

PARENTS' VIEWS

The Dominion Post asked parents at Clyde Quay School in Mt Victoria what they thought of the Government's national standards policy for primary schools.

Nic Conland, 37 "I think they will marginalise kids that need extra attention. I am not convinced the standards will work.

Gerry Kenna, 46 "I think they are a good thing as it will bring kids up to speed if they need some extra attention."

Julie Heffernan, 50 "I don't agree at all. You can't just bring up kids by focusing too much on literacy and numeracy. There needs to be a balance with subjects like art and physical education."

Carol Comber, 49 "They really upset me. Schools should have the ability to decide for themselves if they want to introduce national standards. I can't see why the Education Ministry is dictating things. It doesn't make a lot of sense."

John Birkett, 39 "I am pretty happy with it. Teachers do their best and hopefully this will put some onus on parents to take more interest in their child's learning."