NZPF Federation Flyer No 28 – 7 December 2010
Tēnā koe
As we rapidly close in on the end of another academic year, let’s not lose focus on what has been and remains, a major campaign - developing momentum from early in 2009 and looking likely to continue into 2011 – that of voicing concerns about the flaws and inadequacies of what the government is calling ‘national standards’ but which we know to be neither national nor standards.
We all embrace having standards in our schools, real standards that we can be certain are authentic, specific to our individual school’s unique curriculum, reliable and that stand up to scrutiny.
The government’s ‘national standards’ do not fit that scenario. The fact that now a second advisory group exists, clearly shows that all is not well as ministry personnel, practitioners and academics try to modify the pathway carefully constrained by politicians through regulation.
The NZPF view is clear. The government’s standards are fundamentally flawed, untrialled, unreliable and invalid. NZPF has called for a complete review in partnership with the sector. An opportunity was on offer recently to take our opposition to the heart of those who may, through the political machinery currently in place, be able to alter those constraints.
2010 particularly has been underscored by the debates, analysis and ultimately the rejection of the current government’s ‘national standards’ system. Whilst we have all been participants in helping NZPF come to its position on the ‘standards’, it is my job to seek change at the policy level and to carry our message to the politicians who set the policy. Every possible opportunity to communicate our messages, either directly or indirectly to the Minister, needs to be taken.
Over the last two years, NZPF’s relationship with the Minister has not followed an even course. That will not surprise you. NZPF is opposed to what the government describes as its flagship policy but not its stated intent of raising student achievement.
Consequently we have experienced long periods of being excluded from political engagement. Right now that is not the case and the chance to put forward, through the National Standards Sector Advisory Group, an alternative version of NAG 2A was taken. This is the regulatory constraint which has long been the major sticking point, because amongst other things, it creates a high stakes environment with its attendant unintended(?) side-effects.
The NZPF National Executive set to, during its recent meeting in Wellington, and rewrote NAG 2A. It will be included with the material from last Friday’s NSSAG meeting. It does not include the words ‘national standards.’ It is a strong statement of our belief in the use of high quality assessment for learning practices, accountable reporting and supports the government’s stated aim of lifting achievement.
Being present to table the NZPF re-write of NAG 2A at the sector advisory group, with a view to having the group discuss it and include it as a potential way forward was worth doing. Revision of NAG2A was not an option in the original terms of reference for NSSAG. Consequently, NZPF had declined an invitation to be a member of the group. Its original agenda was based around addressing issues to help the implementation of the government’s ‘national standards’ and that did not sit comfortably with our well publicised position.
There is a link to the NSSAG website www.nssag.minedu.govt.nz. Like all those represented around the table, we will be reviewing what advice or action the Minister/government may take from the material posted there in a few days’ time. Until the NZPF is convinced that this group has a will to offer truly independent advice, even if unpalatable to the Minister and her government, it will not seek membership. Meaningful engagement with the sector means being able to co-construct the fundamental deeper features of raising student achievement not just play with the surface features of how we measure achievement.
Meanwhile, the ‘Boards Taking Action Coalition (BTAC) has to date separately signed up 285 boards who will not be setting targets against NS in 2011 because they, like us, believe the standards are fundamentally flawed and any data emerging from their implementation is thus invalid, unreliable and unsafe.
Separately, the results of an NZEI commissioned UMR poll has just found that the more people know about NS the less confident they are that they can make any difference to student achievement. This was a poll of parents and the public which found the overall confidence the group has in NS is mediocre. 42% of the parents who consider they know a lot about NS think they are fundamentally flawed and should be scrapped. 46% of this group lack confidence that they will raise achievement. 54% say they have been rushed and their introduction should be delayed. These figures, together with the lack of confidence expressed by the education sector itself in the NS, surely indicates it is time for a rethink.
In the words of one of our more illustrious Prime Ministers, “It’s time for a cup of tea.”1
Speaking of taking a break… I trust you will enjoy the last hectic few days before you slip into holiday mode for some well-earned rest and reflection. I anticipate one more flyer before we close down towards the end of next week.
1. David Lange famously called for a cup of tea in the wake of the 1987 stock market crash, as he began the process of reigning in his highly experimental Minister of Finance, Roger Douglas.
Noho ora mai ra. Kia kaha.
Ernie
Proudly supported by our Gold Business Partners
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Upcoming Dates:
17 Dec Office closes
17 Jan 2011 Office opens
6-9 April 2011 2011 NZPF Conference in Wellington ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………………
This Flyer contains information on:
1 NZPF 2011 Conference
2 Unused Staffing
3 Business Partners
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1 2011 NZPF conference 6 - 9 APRIL
The Wellington team has combined to plot a Leadership Conference pathway to support leadership through these times of accountability and measurement. They have attracted a dynamic line up of world-class speakers to the 2011 Wellington Leadership Conference 2011 “Set Yourself Free”. Early Bird Registration Fee (before 16 December 2010) is $850 incl GST. To register, click here http://www.nzpfconference2011.co.nz/how-to-register/
The conference focuses on generating great leaders and future global citizens. Our international speakers will educate, inspire, entertain, stimulate and provoke our thinking. This is a conference for school leaders and leadership teams. Set Yourself Free and be inspired by:
§ Andy Hargreaves – School of Education at Boston College
§ Jim Spillane – Northwestern University
§ Ben Levin – Canada Research Chair in Education Leadership and policy
§ Yong Zhao – College of Education, Michigan University
§ Michael Wesley – Lowy Institute of International Policy
Set Yourself Free and socialise at The Beehive on Wednesday 6 April for the welcome function and at Te Papa on Saturday 9 April for the conference dinner.
2 Cash Reimbursements for Unused Staffing
In Budget 2010 it was agreed that from 2010, boards of trustees will be reimbursed in cash for up to 10% of staffing entitlement that remains unused at the end of the banking staffing year. The funding available to reimburse schools would be any remaining money from within the salaries appropriation at the end of the banking staffing year.
The reimbursement rate will be set by the Resourcing Division in April each year after the conclusion of the staffing balance period. The reimbursement rate will depend on two factors: the volume of staffing to be reimbursed, and the remaining funding in the teachers’ salary appropriations.
The staffing entitlement to be reimbursed will be calculated as the difference between:
§ total annual staffing entitlement (lower of roll based/provisional staffing) plus non-entitlement, additional staffing, as at the end of the balancing period; and,
§ total annual use at the end of the balancing period
The entitlement used to calculate the payment will be restricted to 10% of the annual staffing entitlement calculated as above.
Some examples might be helpful:
Total annual entitlement = 800FTTE
Total annual entitlement = 1000FTTE
Total annual use = 700FTTE
Total annual use = 950FTTE
Underuse = 100FTTE
Underuse = 50FTTE
10% of total entitlement = 80FTTE
10% of total entitlement = 100FTTE
Entitlement for cashing up = 80FTTE
Entitlement for cashing up = 50FTTE
Schools staffed on their provisional roll receive more staffing than their roll generates. This staffing is assured/guaranteed to allow for certainty around planning at the beginning of the year. In developing the operational policy it was decided that boards should not receive a cash reimbursement based on this roll as this would be rewarding boards for an overestimation of an estimated roll.
Note: Special Reason Staffing is not included in the calculation of entitlement
David McIntosh Manager Determination and Delivery Ministry of Education Phone: 04 463 8348
3 Business Partners
One of the undertakings the NZPF gives its business partners is that at the very least, they are given the opportunity by members to quote for a service or solution. They are realists and understand all too well the marketplace so giving them a chance to keep their collective pencils sharp is appreciated all round.
Our Business Partners are:
Gold
CallPlus Services Limited
Furnware
Konica Minolta Business Solutions New Zealand Limited
Programmed Property Services
Scholastic New Zealand Limited
Silver
ALSCO
Lundia Shelving Limited
Sitech Systems N.Z. Ltd
Bronze
Ahead Buildings
ASB Bank Limited
Crest Commercial Cleaning Ltd
Equico Limited
MUSAC
OfficeMax
PhotoLife Studios Limited
Postie Plus Group Limited
Smith & Smith
UNITE
Interested in becoming an NZPF Business Partner? We welcome enquiries from businesses that are interested in engaging with schools. If you would like to know how a partnership with NZPF can add value to your business, while supporting New Zealand education , please email David Ellery (NZPF’s Business Partner Convener), for an information package and further details about NZPF.
