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From
the Minister
In New Zealand, as in most countries, we are seeking
to educate children from increasingly diverse backgrounds to higher
levels. Our challenge is to teach all students to understand ideas
deeply, to think critically, to apply their knowledge wisely,
and to live together in harmony. A good education is a fundamental
right for all children.
I am excited about the development of the new asTTle tools and
exemplars. High quality assessment tools and data, used well,
promote high-quality learning. They provide the information we
need to raise the achievement of individual students and groups
of students who are currently not achieving as well as they should.
We can't just say "we do our best" and leave it at that.
Excellence is rarely produced by chance, and it is never produced
consistently by chance.
Teachers are key to meeting educational goals. High-quality professional
development for teachers is an essential component of this government's
vision for New Zealand education. Nationally co-ordinated programmes
of professional development are important in achieving national
changes. In 2002, increased funding will be allocated to nationally
co-ordinated professional development programmes to support the
development of effective assessment practices.
Through the initiatives outlined in this Curriculum Update, the
Government will provide teachers with the resources they need
to ensure that assessment information is used to improve learning
outcomes, and therefore opportunities for all students, whatever
their backgrounds.
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