Since late 2020, secondary school teachers from across the country have been learning about the upcoming changes to NCEA. In my role as Manaiakalani’s Secondary Specialist, I am fortunate to be a part of the ACCORD training days administered by the Ministry of Education. I’d have to say, the changes are a positive step forward. This is the first significant change since the forming of the New Zealand Curriculum (2007) document. The amendments include changes to the Literacy and Numeracy Standards and subject specific NCEA Achievement Standards.
The purpose of the change for the Literacy and Numeracy standards is to strengthen students’ understanding and to apply these skills in diverse contexts. Hence, all secondary school teachers, regardless of subject speciality, are being asked to include elements of literacy and numeracy.
Students from Year 9 upwards will have the option of taking Literacy and Numeracy in English or sitting the Te Reo Matatini me te Pāngarau Standards.
The Literacy and Numeracy standards will be assessed online through a NZQA Common Assessment Activity.
Initially, students entering the Te Reo Matatini me te Pāngarau standards can choose to complete a NZQA Common Assessment Activity or submit a portfolio of work. This will be reviewed by NZQA following the first round of assessments.
To meet the requirements, learners will need to pass:
either literacy or te reo matatini; AND
either numeracy or pāngarau to meet the requirements.
Each standard or set of standards is worth 10 credits; however, these credits do not count towards the 60 credits required for NCEA.
Students must pass both the Literacy and the Numeracy standards in order to achieve NCEA.
Although the changes will not become mandatory until 2023, teachers are being asked to give immediate thought to the inclusion of literacy and numeracy aspects in all subject areas. There are also around 250 high schools running pilots in 2022.
How teachers embed literacy and numeracy learning opportunities within topics that involve authentic scenarios will be key to aiding students’ understanding. I’m sure this will be a highlight of our upcoming Manaiakalani Department Discussions as we share practice and examples of what this could look like.