Making it count: Vanessa Weenink
The Government is supercharging our maths action plan with a targeted maths acceleration programme.
The Government will be trialling a maths acceleration programme to focus Kiwi kids on the basics and set them up on a path to success.
This year, shocking data showed just 22% of Year 8 students are at the expected national standard for maths. That’s why we have moved swiftly to implement our ‘Make It Count’ maths action plan to ensure students are set up for success. This latest step in our plan will make sure students who need the most help, get the extra support they need to achieve at the required curriculum level.
The trial programme will provide comprehensive support to around 2000 Year 7 and 8 students who have fallen behind in maths. To bring them up to speed, they will be involved in small tutoring groups and supervised online tuition for 30 minutes, up to four times a week. Schools and kura across the country will see the programme run for 12 weeks across Term 1 and 2 next year. The Government will look to scale this up across the country from Term 3, informed by an evaluation of the trial.
This initiative is just part of the wider support the Government is providing teachers and students to lift maths achievement. We have also released a new knowledge-rich curriculum in time for Term 1 next year that sets out a structured, evidence-based approach to learning.
On top of that, over 300,000 students will benefit from high-quality, curriculum aligned workbooks, teacher guidance and lesson plans (and this will continue to rise). This $30m investment allows every teacher and child to have the resources they need to excel in the classroom. The Government is committed to getting 80% of Year 8 students at or above the expected curriculum level by 2030. We’re working fast on our plan to make sure all Kiwi kids are equipped with the skills they need to succeed.
Parents and caregivers can rest assured that we’re laser focused on lifting student achievement and getting our education system back on track.
