According to the most recent PISA results, New Zealand students’ average score in mathematics is 479, which is slightly above the OECD average, but represents a significant decline from previous years, with the score dropping 15 points from 2018, indicating a concerning trend in New Zealand’s mathematical performance compared to other developed nations.
David Seymour’s response is tiny Charter Schools – including a Remuera French School.
Minister Stanford seems to have taken on significant guidance from the Singapore system. That is not a bad thing as we could learn a great deal. She is trying and working hard.
When I was studying Mathematics and Statistics at an under-graduate and graduate level we would often have to do “proofs”. This would always come to a place where an action or condition was a necessary but not “sufficient” condition.
As a nation what we need to be fully aware of is that any improvement we make with schools/curriculum is necessary but not sufficient.
Many miles above schools is parenting and – internationally – there are huge research correlations between parenting, including two parent homes, and school success.
In Singapore approximately 7% of children are in single parent homes.
In New Zealand approximately 20% of children are in single parent homes and 31% of Maori children.
If we are to adapt curriculum practices from a nation, like Singapore, we need to massively support children who do not come from the family norms there.
The key priority for education in New Zealand is not crappy school lunches, or even methodological change … it is enhancing parenting at every level. Until then we are pushing manure uphill with a very loose rake.
Completely shrinking and re-purposing the Ministry of Education is another NECESSARY but not sufficient condition. There are still over 4,200 employees despite the NACT pre-election promises to bring it back to 2,700 (also BLOATED and ineffective).
Our change programme is way too slow and another example of National incrementalism.
Alwyn Poole, a well-known figure in the New Zealand education system, he founded and was the head of Mt Hobson Middle School in Auckland for 18 years. This article was published HERE
Minister Stanford seems to have taken on significant guidance from the Singapore system. That is not a bad thing as we could learn a great deal. She is trying and working hard.
When I was studying Mathematics and Statistics at an under-graduate and graduate level we would often have to do “proofs”. This would always come to a place where an action or condition was a necessary but not “sufficient” condition.
As a nation what we need to be fully aware of is that any improvement we make with schools/curriculum is necessary but not sufficient.
Many miles above schools is parenting and – internationally – there are huge research correlations between parenting, including two parent homes, and school success.
In Singapore approximately 7% of children are in single parent homes.
In New Zealand approximately 20% of children are in single parent homes and 31% of Maori children.
If we are to adapt curriculum practices from a nation, like Singapore, we need to massively support children who do not come from the family norms there.
The key priority for education in New Zealand is not crappy school lunches, or even methodological change … it is enhancing parenting at every level. Until then we are pushing manure uphill with a very loose rake.
Completely shrinking and re-purposing the Ministry of Education is another NECESSARY but not sufficient condition. There are still over 4,200 employees despite the NACT pre-election promises to bring it back to 2,700 (also BLOATED and ineffective).
Our change programme is way too slow and another example of National incrementalism.
Alwyn Poole, a well-known figure in the New Zealand education system, he founded and was the head of Mt Hobson Middle School in Auckland for 18 years. This article was published HERE
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