The publication of league tables will give the community an inaccurate idea about individual schools' performances, says the Western Bay of Plenty Principals' Association.
President Robert Hyndman says Western Bay of Plenty principals are concerned that recently published National Standards data does not reflect a fair and accurate imagine of the teaching and learning that is happening in local schools.
'Children entering schools are not all standard and from their first day at school will bring a variety of learning experiences that place them in different starting positions for the academic journey ahead of them.
'Throughout their schooling life the range of experiences they encounter outside the school gate will continue to impact their learning within the school.
'Therefore, the crude replication of National Standards data will fail to inform school communities about the quality of children not meeting the standards at School A does not indicate that teaching programmes are inferior to School B.
'In fact, the opposite could be true.
Robert says it is the association's hope that parents will continue to form impressions by visiting schools and then engaging with their school in the education of their children.
5 comments
Good idea
Posted on 01-10-2012 16:23 | By Justintime
Surely we can assume that each individual school uses the same criteria for recording its own Year 1 to 6 results, so publishing the results at least shows how a school improves its pupils from Year 1 to 6. This is what I would be looking for, not outright percentages which may differ in interpretation between schools.
SMELLING LIKE ROSES
Posted on 01-10-2012 16:38 | By YOGI
To me the ranking of schools on results will enhance and focus the attention of teachers and the school as a whole to look to achieve something rather than wandering along aimlessly. Maybe it will mean that schools with challenges will get more funding targeted at the problem rather than where teachers just want more money as a collective. bring it all on I say!
MORE INFORMATION IS BETTER
Posted on 01-10-2012 17:17 | By YOGI
The more information avaialble about schools will only then allow the best use of taxpayers money for education of the children. The information will clearly indicate the problems in some schools, that maybe the demographics, clientel or the teachers, knowing all of this then means decisions can then be made to lift the game of these schools. Why wouldn't you want to do this?
Ignorance
Posted on 01-10-2012 19:26 | By dgk
I don't have a problem with these league tables. What I do have a problem with is the analysis of those tables by those who know nothing about education (mostly politicians and ignorant parents).
BETTER EDUCATION
Posted on 01-10-2012 23:56 | By YOGI
I would look forward to seeing some good results and that where there is a school in need of help that all will be available to look for the cause and remedy it. One can only look forward to a better education system as a result.
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