Starting from the beginning the way to go

The double standard displayed by the Government over National Standards proves - to quote John Key - that “ignorance leads us nowhere”, Labour’s Education spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta says.

“Releasing data that even the Prime Minister has described as ‘ropey’ and inconsistent, and that shows an ‘average’ only across a narrow range of subjects, is hardly best practice.

“It doesn’t help inform parents on how well their children are performing. Teachers do that.

"Rather than releasing 'ropey' national standards data, the Government should be providing parents with a better understanding of how well schools are responding to the needs of children specific to their community.

“We should be proud that our education system rates among the best in the OECD.

“But banging on about average numeracy and literacy levels does nothing to help the kids who are struggling to learn. How does that lift achievement?

"If the Government genuinely wants to help then it would be better to collect data that records a child’s educational journey, starting from where a child is at when they begin school.

“Then the school could focus on reporting yearly to parents about how well their child is doing across all subjects.

"Base data reporting would also highlight how many children had not had any early childhood education and provide a greater emphasis on those children that need more targeted support so they get a better start at school.

"Parents, whatever their situation, want their children to get the very best opportunity through a good education.

“One size does not fit all and one measure will not deliver the best outcome for children's learning,” said Nanaia Mahuta.