TIMELINE UPDATE:

ASSESSMENT UPDATE:

Work is underway to understand and scope further opportunities for assessment at key learning milestones, so we can develop a more consistent and coherent approach across the whole education system. Guidance and professional development will be available to help implement this change.
Achieving consistency in monitoring student progress is one of the six education priorities, each designed to work together to achieve the target of 80 percent of Year 8 students being at, or above, the expected curriculum level for their age in reading, writing and maths by December 2030.

MATHS UPDATE:

The new Maths and Statistics curriculum is structured maths where teachers directly explain maths to children before they practise it, children repeat maths techniques until they have mastered them, and more rote memorisation of basic facts like times tables.
The new curriculum is very prescriptive and clear on what is to be taught at what level. It also includes explicit Teaching Methods to do so (in built common practise model).

The Curriculum Insights and Progress Study (CIPS) has built a clear picture that we have a more serious issue in maths student achievement than expected, the Government announced a Four-Point Action Plan to this.
Action One: Curriculum Delivery A knowledge-rich, maths and pāngarau curriculum will be released a year earlier than planned. Year 0-8 content will be compulsory from the start of 2025, not 2026.
Action Two: Assessment and Acceleration: Twice yearly assessments for maths and pāngarau in primary schools and kura, from the start of 2025. This will clearly show students’ progress and help to direct resources where needed.
Action Three: Enhancing Workforce: Progressing higher Initial Teacher Education (ITE) entry requirements in maths and pāngarau.
Action Four: Clarifying Expectations: A clear focus on supporting schools to meet the goal of 80% of Year 8 students being at or above the expected curriculum level for their age in maths and pāngarau.

SCIENCE UPDATE:

To make sure teachers and kaiako have time to focus on maths and pāngarau the timeline for the new science and technology curriculum will be pushed out and will be available for use and open for feedback from Term 3, 2025.

ENGLISH UPDATE:

The introduction of phonics checks for students in their first year at school or kura at 20 weeks, and then again 40 weeks.
schools will transition to using one of three assessment tools for twice-yearly Year 3 - 8 progression monitoring.
Structured Literacy. A ‘structured approach’ to teaching refers to both the content and the methods of teaching. It is not one particular programme, but an approach that guides teaching. Structured literacy approaches emphasise systematically learning letters, letter combinations and new words using sound, along with explicitly teaching vocabulary, comprehension, and writing.
New Curriculum was released for consultation on 26th August for 4 weeks.

Ōtākaro Kahui Ako

Curriculum update 2nd September 2024