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In The New Zealand Initiative's Better Education Project, I am looking at how policy levers interact and affect the quality of teaching in schools. Teacher training and qualifications, or Initial Teacher Education (ITE), is one policy area of promise. Read more
While not wishing to perpetuate cultural stereotypes, proverbs can say a lot about how our cultural values can influence student achievement. In Japan there is a famous saying: “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.” And the Japanese classroom is the best place to observe young students being hammered down to size. Read more
In 2010, the Ministry of Education introduced new National Standards for primary schools. In September this year, stuff.co.nz published the first data set. Read more
Around 50 years ago, the newly independent Finland identified education as a key nation-building exercise. Ever since, Finland’s public school system has been of interest to other countries. Read more
Education is valuable and having one should improve your life prospects. But does a generic bachelor’s degree guarantee its owner influence, riches and success? Read more
Partnership schools (kura hurua) have become a topic of intense political debate in what appears to be a case of those shouting the loudest being heard the most. The criticisms are many and varied – and unavoidable on both radio and TV. Read more
A fundamental law of economics is that you can control the price of something or the quantity supplied, but not both. We saw that law in operation in the old Soviet system, with rationing and queues, and during the Muldoon wage and price freeze. Read more
Compulsory students’ association membership (CSM), as opposed to voluntary students’ association membership (VSM), is an anachronism. Students’ associations are incorporated societies formed by members with common interests and are akin to the Automobile Association, the Consumers' Institute, staff associations and sporting clubs. Read more
At an Easter hat parade at Bellfield Primary School in Melbourne, a child’s mother got into a punch-up with another mother and head-butted her unconscious in front of 250 children. Did anyone bat an eyelid? Read more
Despite considerable government investment in tertiary education and training, New Zealand has seen sustained and substantial shortages of skill labour. Norman LaRocque looks at the reasons behind this and outlines the policy environment necessary to address the skills deficit. Read more