Ministry of Education position paper: Assessment

This position paper presents the Ministry of Education’s position on assessment. It outlines our vision for assessment and describes what we believe the assessment landscape should look like if assessment is to be used effectively across all layers of the schooling system.

Documenting the vision is important to the process of building integrity, transparency and coherence into the schooling system and developing support for it from all stakeholders. The paper is not a strategy or a policy statement.

Section 1 outlines the New Zealand context. Our education system needs to cater for diverse learners in our diverse socio-cultural society. Our identity, language and culture are essential to build and keep learning relevant and students engaged with learning. The varied learning dispositions and preferences, and differing educational needs mean progress does not look the same for all students.

Section 2 looks at the recent background to our assessment approach in both the English and Māori medium and the key principles and underlying assumptions which underpin the Ministry’s position on assessment.

Sections 3, 4 and 5 describe how effective assessment improves teaching and learning at each level of the system.

You can download a PDF copy of the paper below. If you have difficulty accessing PDF files, please send an email to publications@minedu.govt.nz.

To order a printed copy of this paper email Down the Back of the Chair orders@thechair.minedu.govt.nz. The publication and delivery are free, please provide a physical address, rather than PO Box, and quote order number 33828 or visit the Down the Back of the Chair website