Because it looks like the Nats have decided they don’t want to expose their Ministers to questions today I thought I would share with Red Alert readers and in particular Anne Tolley (because I know that her office and several of her Cabinet colleagues read Red Alert on a daily basis) the question I would have asked. Looks like I will now have to wait three weeks but thought that giving notice will allow her to swot.
Does she understand the asTTle reporting system and the process leading to it?
Btw – one point of order yesterday took 75 minutes – Gerry would have been better off having questions and co-operation over times of debates.
Update Gerry Brownlee has folded – has now woken up and there will be a question time today.
“Does she understand the asTTle reporting system and the process leading to it?”
Somehow, I think Trev may have some surprises up his sleeve with the question. Giving Tolley time to swot, eh? Watch out, Tolley. This should be fun
Come on Trev. Be fair. If you are going to get answers that make any sense you will need to give her the supplementaries as well – and with enough time for her to get them to Double Dipton to draft the replies.
Fair Question Trev I look forward to the answer. Tolley’s implementation may be a little weak at times – but the point remains that National were elected on the platform of National Standards implementation. Parents are overwhelming in their support for National Standards. (75% in a recent poll – you will never turn that around)
At a parent meeting at the local school I went to about a week ago, National Standards were part of the discussion. There was 100% support from the parents there and the reason is that we feel that in the past the school has not been as open and honest about the performance of our children as we all would prefer. In the end of year reports last year the teachers were somewhat more blunt about each child’s report and this was well appreciated. But Labour problem is that they are unable to sell a compelling reason why a parent should not know exactly how their child is performing at school. All the stuff about trials, other systems, comparisons are not reasons not to implement National Standards – that is your problem – no reason that parents can relate to or care about.
Although Labour and the teacher unions are making a lot of noise, your problem is that there is no impact. Certainly the reason why we as parents want National Standards are selfish – ie we care only about our particular child’s academic achievements – as a parent that is my only concern. By contrast the school does not seem to like comparisons – “comparisons with a D8 school vs a D1 school are immoral” we were told. Quite frankly I do not care about comparisons – only how well my child is doing. Even the socialist Labour voting parents in the room felt that way as well. (Chardonnay socialist academics that they are)
Trev, why did you think that National was not going to allow question time today?
What’s the bet something urgent will come up and Anne Tolley won’t be there for Questions for Oral Answer. Gerry Brownlee will answer on her behalf?
Yes! I’m watching question time today.
@IDAD – LOL 
Hi Anne
Heatley has resigned his portfolios! Could that have something to do with Brownlee’s change of heart?
Go for it Trevor. Give Tolley the works if you can. My pick is, Brownlee changed his mind because Heatley’s resignation takes the heat off her. Hammer them Labour! You’ve got the evidence you need now that the calling of urgency and cancelling of Question Time is nothing more than a cynical ploy to avoid ministerial accountability and protecting weak ministers.
Monty,
The reason given for introducing Nat Standards was to improve learning for students, esp the bottom 20% or so.
The UK introduced standards and their world ranking on numeracy and literacy shot down like a rocket. As I understand it Scotland was allowed to opt out and have not suffered the same. The Torys are now calling for a review of the standards policy (probably will win the election). Does this tell you anything?
We have recently been rated as the 4th best in the world, SO we get a former real estate agent telling teaching professionals and academics that we should emulate the system from the bottom half of the OECD. And then she has the gaul to try and paint anyone who asks questions (never answers) as a bad teacher who wants to ‘hide’ behind a union.
And Monty 75% really. 80% also did not understand it. I have not seen a Nat Standards polling here but strangely 75% of Americans oppose Obamas health care reform. But when asked point by point which ones they support 95% of the bill gets support from 60-80% support. Just shows again they dont understand it & republican/insurance Co lies are having an effect.
I still don’t understand how National Standards will raise numeracy and literacy rates. There doesn’t seem much substance or investment behind how those ‘well below’ or ‘below’ the standard will be supported to improve. As for parents not knowing how their child is doing – that’s very difficult to believe. They have assessments. They have graded reading books. They have classmates. Plenty of information to know if ‘Johnny’ is in the bottom 20% or not.
Hi Spud
Yes I agree
I’ve said so much on this subject and the more I read, the more I hate the idea of National Standards. Assignment on literacy due in 2wks so I better get back to it. All the studies and theories I’ve read so far in text books contradicts National Standards at primary school level. Though this assignment is on literacy in early childhood centres. Are we going to follow America and start sitting children down with worksheets at preschool to try to teach them to give them a head start at school? Is that the next step in this madness? I hope not. They might have to cut my sons fav out. Carpentry gone and water trough and sandpit time lost? I can just imagine it. No more volcanos made with sand with coloured vinegar and baking soda. There will be no science in primary schools due to the axing of experts that help with the curriculum, so why do they need to learn it at preschool level? Much better to sit them down and teach them writing, filling out worksheets to then be marked.