Some short statements you can use with friends and colleagues

After attending the NZPF conference in Queenstown last week I'm convinced we need to talk less to the Minister and more to parents and communities, to keep our messages as simple as she makes hers, to avoid wherever possible a debate around the word 'standards.'

The only thing that gives Anne Tolley confidence in the Nat Stds is that she believes she has public opinion behind her. Once we undermine that she loses her rationale for continuing. A move in public opinion will also give confidence to opposition political parties. They may become less timid about taking a stand if they sniff a vote in it.

For what it's worth, here are some statements I'd like to see in front of every school leader to use with BOT and community.

1. National Standards is not needed to identify failing students
2. National Standards will not turn failing students into successful ones
3. National Standards will demoralise low achieving students and demotivate high achievers
4. Implementing National Standards has diverted scarce resources from programmes that were already successful with low-achieving students (e.g. the Literacy Professional Development Project)
5. National Standards do not match the standards from assessment tools currently used by schools and understood by parents. A child may be highly successful when measured against these standards but still fail to achieve the National Standard.
6. National Standards training is a shambles. It is piecemeal, confusing and inconsistent.
7. National Standards is policy-on-the-hoof. Any positive outcomes will be lost through haste and waste.

Please print these statements, add your own, stick them on a laminated card and send to all your friends and families.

Kia kaha,

Peter Verstappen

Principal

Southbridge School