QA News April 2010 - Issue 67

• Chief Executive's foreword
• Course Endorsement to add further motivation for students
• Top Art on tour
• More students gain NCEA endorsed certificates
• Literacy and numeracy standards proposed
• NZ Scholarship results
• Changes to the qualifications system
• TEOs encouraged to do business online
• External reviews of value
• Deregistration a possibility for non-complying PTEs
• Exemplars for internal standards now online
• Best Practice Workshops
• Workshops for teachers and whanau

Workshops for teachers and whanau

NZQA is running a series of workshops aimed at helping teachers, students and whānau get a better understanding of NCEA and the National Qualifications Framework. The workshops will run from end of April to June.

"We are all aware of recent research that identifies the challenges the education sector face in order to increase Māori educational achievement, and we are offering our support to the vital work that schools are doing in this area, Deputy Chief Executive Māori Daryn Bean said.

"Providing appropriate information to whānau, learners and teachers is one area NZQA is taking a pro-active stance and we are offering our support through the delivery of these workshops.

"We want Māori to achieve in all areas, so there will be a real emphasis on pathway options within NCEA, but we are also aware of the value that qualifications such as Te Waharoa (the National Certificate in Māori) can add to academic options by recognising Māori skills and knowledge."

The one-day workshops for teachers will include three modules, including understanding NCEA options and the NQF, Te Waharoa, and assessment, moderation and quality assurance.

The workshops are aimed at new teachers or teachers/careers staff who would like to know more about what the Qualifications Framework can offer students, so they may assist students with subject choices.

To complement the teacher workshops, NZQA facilitators will offer evening workshops for whānau and students. The Ministry of Education will be helping to promote the workshops and information from Careers Services will also be available.

"It would be a great help if schools could encourage students and whānau to attend.

Knowledge on qualifications pathways is a must for whānau so they can support their children in the early years of secondary school, to make the right subject choices for their chosen careers."

The workshops will be delivered by experienced NZQA staff.

The schedule for the workshops is (whānau workshops will be held in the evening while teacher workshops during the day):

For more information email: whanauworkshops@nzqa.govt.nz or freephone: 0800 697 296.