Support for NZPF stance

For NZEI members info, copy of message of support sent to NZPF president Ernie Buutveld

Dear Ernie

I hope primary principals will stick to their stance in resisting the league table potential of the national standards. I do think if there is one policy worth principals resisting then this would be the one. I see the Herald editorial today came out against the NZPF stance but then parts of that editorial were disgusting i.e. where it said:

"League tables are a perfectly legitimate tool from the parents' point of view. A good school for their child is one where high standards are maintained and if the pupils come with advantages, so much the better. If some schools have to work harder than others to bring most of their pupils to the desired standards, so be it. Parents want results."

Essentially this is an invitation to parents to muster whatever socioeconomic advantages they can for their own child, never mind the rest of society. There is no concern with social justice. Good luck and I see you will be at your annual conference, please feel free to share my support for the NZPF stance with others there.

Martin Thrupp
Professor of Education
University of Waikato