Improving Education Outcomes for Pacific Learners

Date: 21/05/2012

The Education Review Office’s latest national report shows that minimal progress has been made to accelerate the achievement of Pacific learners in New Zealand schools.

Improving Education Outcomes for Pacific Learners was released today and is ERO’s third report about the achievement of Pacific learners in New Zealand schools. While some schools have positive practices in place, the majority are not sufficiently focused on improving the performance of Pacific learners.

“The achievement of our Pacific learners is an issue of national importance that requires a collective response. We all have a role to play in improving education outcomes for Pacific learners. We want school leaders, boards and the wider education sector to read this report, discuss the challenges with their colleagues and work together to raise Pacific student achievement.” said Dr Graham Stoop, Chief Review Officer.

ERO reviewed 302 schools as part of this evaluation. The schools included a combination of primary and secondary schools from a range of deciles, roll sizes and locations. ERO found a large number of schools did not use Pacific contexts in the classroom or respond to the individual needs of Pacific learners.

“I expect all schools to focus on what they can do to improve the achievement levels of their Pacific learners. We know it can be done – this and the two previous ERO reports include examples of effective practice by schools that are raising Pacific achievement levels” said Dr Stoop.

ERO’s report makes a number of recommendations for school leaders including the need to improve their analysis of and response to information about Pacific students’ presence, achievement and progress.

Dr Stoop said “A robust assessment process is essential to any process of improvement. Schools need good data to better understand the challenges for their Pacific learners, both at an individual and group level. Schools need to carefully analyse that information and use it to inform future action.”

The report also recommends that school leaders review the extent to which their curriculum responds to Pacific learners’ needs and interests; build teachers’ and boards’ knowledge of Pacific learners and strengthen their links with Pacific parents and communities. It also encourages school leaders to familiarise themselves with the Pasifika Education Plan.

Improving Education Outcomes for Pacific Learners and ERO’s previous Pacific reports (Progress in Pacific Student Achievement: A pilot evaluation of Auckland schools 2009 and Promoting Pacific Student Achievement 2010) are available on our website: www.ero.govt.nz/National-Reports/