New Zealand Ministry of Education Considers Increased Support for NCEA Tests
-
Loading... - Asher Freeman
- 29 Aug 2024
- 73 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
The Ministry of Education in New Zealand is exploring ways to increase support for high schools implementing the new NCEA tests, with a decision expected by the end of the year. Claire Eden, acting general manager at the Ministry, acknowledged that the additional co-requisite requirements for reading, writing, and numeracy have added to the workload for schools administering the qualification.
The recent release of test results from May and June revealed concerning achievement rates:
- Only 45.6% of students passed the numeracy requirement, down from 2023.
- Reading results improved slightly, with 58.7% passing.
- Writing saw a modest improvement, with 55.7% of students passing.
Secondary Principals' Association vice president Louise Anaru expressed concern but noted that the new NCEA qualification is more challenging, reflecting the demand for strengthened literacy and numeracy assessments. She emphasized the need for faster marking, better feedback from NZQA, and adequate resourcing for schools to prepare and deliver these assessments effectively.
Anaru called for increased funding to support exam centre managers, relief teachers, and supervisors. She highlighted the critical role of principals' nominees in overseeing the assessments, which now include the Common Assessment Activity (CAA) testing.
The NZQA is considering ways to reduce the time between testing and result release, aiming to implement changes for the first assessment round next year. Students need to pass these tests to earn an NCEA qualification, but alternative literacy and numeracy papers will be available in 2024 and 2025 as schools adapt to the new system. Students can take the tests multiple times throughout high school, with two rounds held each year, the next being in September.
