28 Sep 2020

Researchers say time's up for academic streaming in schools

From Nine To Noon, 9:08 am on 28 September 2020
A teacher uses a blackboard to solve a mathematics equation.

Photo: 123RF

Education academics say decades of research has shown academic streaming in schools doesn't lift achievement and in fact, serves to drag down those students in lower streams. They say this disproportionately affects Maori and Pasifika students and the Education Minister and Ministry should direct schools to move to mixed ability classes for all. The most recent PISA international education study figures show that 90 percent of New Zealand schools have streaming  in at least one subject.

The Education Minister Chris Hipkins has called streaming discriminatory, unfair without underpinning evidence, but says the government will not dictate what schools should do. Kathyrn discusses with David Pomeroy a lecturer at Canterbury University's School of Teacher Education, Haley Milne, Principal of Kia Aroha College and on the National Executive of Te Akatea: the Maori Principals Association, and Ministry of Education, Group Manager of Education System Policy Tipene Chrisp.