The Education (Te Aho Matua) Amendment Act 1999 acknowledges the role of Te Aho Matua in Kura Kaupapa Māori.
Following the passing of Te Aho Matua legislation, the Education Review Office (ERO), Te Rūnanga Nui o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa (Te Rūnanga Nui) and the Ministry of Education established a working relationship. This led to the development of a method of education evaluation specifically for use with Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori that operate in accordance with the principles of Te Aho Matua.
Te Aho Matua Kura Kaupapa Māori 1 provide a culturally unique education based on indigenous philosophical beliefs. The numbers of Te Aho Matua Kura Kaupapa Māori have grown steadily throughout Aotearoa since the first kura was opened in 1985. The secondary school option (wharekura) 2 is now widely available.
In 2008, ERO and Te Rūnanga Nui formally documented and began the full implementation of an improved three-yearly review and evaluation methodology for use in Te Aho Matua kura.
In 2009 the Education Review Office implemented a differentiated review cycle that would enable some high performing schools to be reviewed less often and other schools, where need was greatest, more often.
In 2011, ERO and Te Rūnanga Nui developed the methodology for differentiated reviews in Te Aho Matua Kura. It was agreed that the methodology be holistic in nature and reflect uniquely indigenous concepts. The work is underpinned by the principles identified in ERO’s 2008 three-year Te Aho Matua review and evaluation methodology.
Te Aho Matua reviews:
It was also agreed that core components for success are integral to the design and implementation of the review methodology. The core components include:
This evaluation whakapapa acknowledges the work since 2000.
The evaluation methodology for reviews in Te Aho Matua kura kaupapa Māori has been designed by Māori, with Māori andfocuses on successful outcomes for Māori.
This Frameworkfor the Review and Evaluation in Te Aho Matua Kura Kaupapa Maori starts with an outline of the general principles of an ERO evaluation and the focus on self review. The Framework then sets out in more detail the conduct of each of the three types of review: Te Rākeitanga (Expansion), Te Pupuketanga (Development) and Te Manakotanga (Enrichment).