Gazette NZCF

Recommendation (1): That the New Zealand Curriculum Framework and Te Anga Marautanga o Aotearoa are redeveloped and gazetted as foundation policy statements

The New Zealand Curriculum Framework and Te Anga Marautanga o Aotearoa should be modified, and mandated as overarching foundation policies, as provided for by the Education Act. Kura Mäori and schools should be authorised to use either policy or a combination of both. A process of consultation and trialing should be undertaken.

As most Mäori students are in schools that use The New Zealand Curriculum Framework and curriculum statements (in English), the underlying philosophy of both frameworks should reflect their status as tangata whenua and expectations of `best outcomes' for all students. The frameworks should be similar in structure and coherent with each other, but not necessarily translations. Considerations should be given to whether a bilingual version of Te Anga Marautanga o Aotearoa should be developed for kura Mäori.

The modified versions of the frameworks should be similar in structure to the existing frameworks. They should include sections on the principles/ngä mätäpono, essential skills/ngä tino pükenga, attitudes and values/ngä waiaro me ngä uara, essential learning areas/ngä tino wähanga ako, assessment/te aro matawai and context/te horopaki.

In addition, there should be a clear statement of the purposes of the New Zealand curriculum and ngä Marautanga o Aotearoa. These purposes are to clarify expectations for all New Zealand students and to develop the human capability necessary for a prosperous and inclusive New Zealand society.

A section on effective pedagogy should also be included. This section should explain the nature of the pedagogies that have been linked by research to increased achievement and social outcomes and to reduction in disparities.

Furthermore, there should be a section on the relationship between the New Zealand curriculum/ngä Marautanga o Aotearoa and Te Whäriki.

There should be subsequent policy work to develop a section on the relationship between the New Zealand curriculum and ngä Marautanga o Aotearoa and qualifications and work should be developed for inclusion in subsequent revisions of the frameworks after the full implementation of NCEA.

Cross-disciplinary teams should be involved in the revision of The New Zealand Curriculum Framework and Te Anga Marautanga o Aotearoa. These teams should include those with expertise in the essential learning areas, essential skills, attitudes and values and assessment, as well as those with expertise in ngä wähanga ako, ngä tino pükenga, ngä waiaro me ngä uara and te aro matawai. Consultation with representative groups from different sectors of New Zealand society, including parents/whänau, members of Mäori and Pasifika communities and business should occur.