Self-renewing schools are enquiry oriented: they use the process of
self-review to continually develop and transform. They plan strategically
by examining evidence before they adopt new initiatives and they set
achievable goals. In self-renewing schools, everyone strives for continuous
improvement. These schools:
- actively seek externally referenced assessment information;
- use assessment information to identify areas of strength and relative
weakness;
- analyse assessment information closely;
- suggest ways that improvement might be brought about;
- use assessment information to help draw up possible focuses for
professional activity.
The National Administration Guidelines currently require schools to
have a strategic plan focused on improving the achievement of students.
Changes to the Education Act through the Education Amendment Bill Number
2 will consolidate, simplify, and focus existing planning and reporting
requirements and will require schools to submit their plans and reports
to the Ministry. The information gathered in the annual plans will focus
planning and reporting on raising student achievement. It will provide
the data needed for the Government to improve educational policies and
enable the Ministry to provide schools with another source of information
for school self-review.
