Implementation project overview
The New Zealand Curriculum Implementation Project supports schools as they give effect to The New Zealand Curriculum.
The Ministry of Education is supporting curriculum implementation through a number of new initiatives. It is also expected that all Ministry-funded in-school projects such as ICT PD clusters and EHSAS will have a strong curriculum focus.
Feedback, mentoring, coaching, and advice
Requirements and system alignment
Information sharing
The first implementation pack has been sent to all schools. It is designed to support school principals and curriculum leaders as they implement The New Zealand Curriculum. It includes advice on engaging with curriculum, a paper discussing the key competencies and assessment, and a chart to help schools review and plan the development of their school curriculum.
The second pack is due out in July 2008, followed by a third next year.
The New Zealand Curriculum Online is the 'one stop shop' for everything to do with The New Zealand Curriculum. It features inspiring school stories, practical ideas, and strategies to use in your staffroom, useful resources, official notices, how to get support and much, much more ...
Learning communities
Selected from throughout New Zealand are working within school networks to explore ways of implementing The New Zealand Curriculum. This initiative aims to enable schools to collaborate and to generate and adapt new ideas and practices as part of the process of developing their school's curriculum. Regional School Support Services advisers are providing support for the sector leaders.
Feedback, mentoring, coaching, and advice
In-school support is provided through a number of existing providers. These include School Support Services contractors as well as private providers and facilitators. Schools are encouraged to identify their needs and choose how these will best be met.
All School Support Services advisers are expected to be familiar and confident with key directions for learning in The New Zealand Curriculum and the changes in their learning area to guide teachers and education networks.
Schools may request ongoing in-school support from their local School Support Services contract provider. Alternatively, schools may choose to contract private providers to support the process.
Communications and messages
The Ministry is publishing material in a wide range of media throughout the implementation phase to inform and support schools. Each month New Zealand Education Gazette features information and links to project materials and initiatives. Teachers can register online to receive monthly email updates about the project.
Research and development
NZCER and the University of Waikato are working with a number of schools as they explore their experiences with implementation. As this work progresses, updates will be published. When completed, the case studies and school stories will be published online for others to learn from and discuss.
Requirements and system alignment
What is ERO looking for? How does NCEA reflect The New Zealand Curriculum? What about new graduates?
The system is being aligned. Ministry leadership is working with ERO to ensure agreement on the areas that are valued and what they might look like. Achievement standards will be aligned by 2010. Initial teacher educators are exploring ways of ensuring new graduates are capable of implementing The New Zealand Curriculum.
Monitoring and evaluation
The University of Auckland is developing survey tools and using a wide range of other information sources to find out how the implementation of The New Zealand Curriculum is progressing, and to review the usefulness of the support provided by the Ministry. The information gathered during the review will inform the development of future support. Regular updates will be published throughout the project.
Regulations and policy
The regulations are being reviewed to ensure that priorities are aligned. A first step has been the publication of a notice announcing policy changes relating to The New Zealand Curriculum from 2 February 2010.
