Auckland Principals’ Issue ‘Open Letter’ Opposing Tables

Auckland Principals’ Issue ‘Open Letter’ Opposing League Tables

Auckland Primary Principals’ Association members are continuing to oppose the use of league tables to rank schools according to data generated by the National Standards. The Association has today publicised a list of 208 Auckland primary and intermediate school principals who have added their signatures to an Open Letter.

The Open Letter states: "As educational professionals we fully endorse concerns recently expressed by many New Zealand academics relating to the proposed publication of league tables of NZ primary and intermediate school students’ performance based on this government’s national standards. The vast majority of NZ principals have expressed serious concerns about the validity of the national standards data since the inception of the policy. The experience of other countries is that the publication of league tables is damaging and misleading, and does not lead to improved learning outcomes. As educational professionals we condemn any published league tables and urge the NZ public to do likewise."

"Signatures have been pouring in to our office," says President Jill Corkin. "We already have 208 principals who have supported what we have expressed in the Open Letter, and we anticipate many more adding their names over the next couple of days. We have also had interest from other regions around New Zealand as well. This issue is obviously still one about which experienced and senior educational professionals have strong opposing views".

Ms. Corkin says that league tables offer nothing of value to schools, students or families. “Parents can already access information about their child’s school, or about schools they are interested in, by checking the Education Review Office report online, by visiting the school and speaking with the Principal, by talking to the teachers or by asking their neighbours and friends about the local schools. League tables based on the National Standards data will not paint a valid picture of any one school or of New Zealand schools as a group. Parents already receive a wealth of information about their child’s achievement and all schools welcome parents to speak with teachers at parent-teacher meetings and in a whole variety of other ways.”

Ms Corkin says she looks forward to more discussions with Minister Parata. “Principals are always willing to talk with Government. We are professionals who know a great deal about education. It’s time that our views and experience are listened to and valued”.

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