The New Zealand Curriculum - what schools are required to do
23/02/08
The New Zealand Curriculum was launched last November. These notices were first published in the New Zealand Gazette on 26 January. They set out the government's expectations for schools with respect to The New Zealand Curriculum. In addition, there is a copy of the letter from Hon Chris Carter, Minister of Education to Dr Graham Stoop, the Chief Review Officer, setting out the expectations for schools and the Education Review Office during the next two years.
These notices are published here to provide schools with additional access to the information.
Dr Graham Stoop
Chief Review Officer
Education Review Office
Box 2799
Wellington
Dear Dr Stoop
As you will be aware I recently launched The New Zealand Curriculum and I will publish the enclosed notice in the New Zealand Gazette to give effect to its implementation from February 2010. I am writing to make clear the government's expectations of schools with respect to their curriculum development during the next two years.
Important aspects of The New Zealand Curriculum are that it is contained within a single document, and that it incorporates Principles, Values and Key Competencies across all learning areas. The notices in the New Zealand Gazette set out the expectations for Boards of Trustees.
My intention is that all state schools will base their teaching and learning programmes on The New Zealand Curriculum from the commencement of the 2010 academic year. During the transition period between the publication of the gazette notice and the implementation date, schools have the option of working with either the current curriculum documents, or the new ones, or both.
During 2008 and 2009, I would expect Boards of Trustees and school principals to be aware of the changes, to review their practice to consider what actions to take to meet the new requirements, and to progress towards fully basing their teaching and learning programmes on The New Zealand Curriculum by February 2010.
By that time, I will be able to advise you about related changes to the National Administration Guidelines, particularly those which refer to The New Zealand Curriculum.
I am aware, however, that schools are at different stages on the journey to fully implementing The New Zealand Curriculum. I would be interested in any evaluation of how well implementation is progressing, both in individual schools and at a national level, and to receive any recommendations for further action and improvement where necessary.
I would be grateful if you would convey these expectations to the managers of regional offices for the information of their teams of reviewers. I have asked that Ministry of Education officials be available to meet with your staff to brief them on the changes.
This letter to you will be published in the Education Gazette and on the Ministry of Education website for schools' information, along with a copy of the enclosed New Zealand Gazette notices.
Yours sincerely
Hon Chris Carter
Minister of Education