Read the report at http://www.ero.govt.nz/National-Reports/Evaluation-at-a-Glance-Priority-Learners-in-New-Zealand-Schools-August-2012
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Changes for Learners With Special Education Needs There is to be a new “mixed model” of support for learners with special educational needs, involving community-based services and residential special schools. Two of the country’s four residential special schools would remain open (Halswell Residential College in Christchurch and Auckland’s Westbridge Residential School), but Salisbury Residential School in Nelson and McKenzie Residential School in Christchurch will close. There will be a single board of trustees for the two schools which are remaining open, appointed by the Minister of Education. The new “wrap-around” tailored service would be expanded, supporting learners with complex needs to remain in their community and attend their local school. The service would be based in every region with a trained facilitator, usually a psychologist. Every learner affected by this proposal would have a transition plan developed between the family, residential school, local school and services, and funding will be allocated to make sure the plan is carried out. There is a press release at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/mixed-model-learners-special-education-needs. The consultation process leading to the decision is at http://www.minedu.govt.nz/theMinistry/Consultation/ResidentialSpecialSchools.aspx
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Education Action Plans Released Recently released were two action plans. One of these is to do with achieving 55% of 25-34 year olds holding a qualification at NCEA level 4 or above by 2017. This target is because many types of jobs needing vocational training require NCEA level 4 as a minimum (qualifications at level 4 and above include advanced trade qualifications, diplomas, and degrees). To achieve this, three aspects are being focussed on: further increasing enrolments across the tertiary sector; improving quality and achievement rates; and increasing transparency by publishing performance indicators for tertiary providers. The other action plan is to do with a target of 85% of 18-year olds holding an NCEA (or equivalent) qualification of NCEA level 2 or above, in 2017. As well as secondary schools, reaching this target will involve other types of education facilities, for instance, Te Kura/the Correspondence School, trades academies, and fees-free tertiary places. Both action plans highlight the importance of close, on-going collaboration between the education sector, communities, and industry. The action plan targeting 24-34 year olds is at http://www.minedu.govt.nz/~/media/MinEdu/Files/TheMinistry/BetterPublicServices/BPS25To34YrOldsWEB.pdf and the plan targeting 18-year olds is at http://www.minedu.govt.nz/~/media/MinEdu/Files/TheMinistry/BetterPublicServices/BPSYoungPeopleWEB.pdf
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ERO Drops Decile Rating From School Reports A school’s decile rating will no longer be shown on its Education Review Office (ERO) report. ERO says it has taken the decision to remove the rating from its reports in an effort to correct the stereotype that a school’s decile equals performance. The Ministry of Education uses the decile rating system to make funding available to schools. However, too often it is seen as a rating of the quality of the education which a school provides and this is simply not correct. More is at http://www.ero.govt.nz/About-Us/News-Media-Releases2/ERO-drops-decile-rating-from-its-school-reports-to-correct-stereotype
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Rural Women NZ, enquiries@ruralwomen.org.nz, 04 473 5524
Bulletin Aotearoa September 2012 - 22