National Standards

From 2010, all schools with children in Years 1-8 will be using National Standards in reading, writing and maths.  The standards are a description of what all New Zealand children are expected to be able to do in reading, writing and maths in Years 1-8.

The standards give teachers, your child and you a clear idea of where your child is at in reading, writing and maths, and what they have to do next in their learning.

The reading, writing and maths standards are used by teachers to:

• plan and teach what your child needs to learn in reading, writing and maths across all curriculum subjects
• work out where your child is at
• work out your child’s next learning steps and set goals for learning, together with you and your child
• report clearly at least twice a year to you about your child’s progress and achievement in relation to the standards.

The teacher will continue to use many different ways to find out where your child is at in reading, writing and maths. This includes:

• using a range of formal tests/assessments
• watching your child working in the classroom
• talking with them about their learning
• your child assessing their own and each other’s work.

Some children will need more time and support to work towards the expected standard. The teacher will work together with you and your child to help them to achieve their next learning goals.

The following links help to explain the standards required at each year level in Reading, Writing and Mathematics.