Reporting how your child is doing

How often will you get reports?

From 2010¹, schools are required to report in writing at least twice a year to parents, families and whānau about their child’s progress and achievement in reading, writing and maths, in relation to National Standards.

Schools report in a variety of ways through formal reports, student portfolios, e-portfolios and workbooks.

When will reporting start?

Your child’s school should start reporting to you about your child’s progress and achievement in relation to National Standards by mid-2010. Your child’s school will let you know when to expect this.

The school will continue to report on your child’s progress and achievement in other curriculum subjects as they currently do.

From 2011, schools will also report to the community on the school-wide progress and achievement, in relation to National Standards.

Understanding school reports

Schools are required to use plain language in their reporting and clearly show your child’s progress and achievement in reading, writing and maths, in relation to National Standards.

The report should tell you if your child is working at the expected level for their age, or if they are working at a level above or below the expected standard.

Reporting in relation to National Standards is likely to include:

• your child’s goals and their progress towards these
• your child’s progress and achievement in relation to the standards
• what the school is doing to support your child’s learning
• ways you can support your child’s learning.

Talk to your teacher if your child’s report is not clear or you would like more information.

Using the information to support your child’s learning

Parents, families and whānau have a valuable role to play in supporting what children learn at school.

The information the school provides on your child’s progress and achievement in relation to the new National Standards will help you to:

• understand how your child is doing at school and how their learning needs are being met
• be confident that any learning difficulties are being addressed
• track your child’s progress over time
• understand what you can do to support your child
• be better informed when discussing your child’s education with their teacher.

You can use reporting on National Standards - and any other information the school gives you about your child’s learning - as a focus for talking with your child’s teacher.

As well as using the information in your child’s reports, other ways to support your child’s learning include:

• listening to them talk about what they are learning and talking with them about it
• providing enjoyable opportunities outside school for practising what they learnt at school
• telling them you are proud of what they have learnt and the progress they have made.

¹ Consultation to gather information to further develop Ngā Whanaketanga Rūmaki Māori, the Māori-medium standards will begin in term one 2010 and be fully implemented in Māori-medium schools and settings from January 2011.