New NZ Maths Curriculum Risks Setting Students Up to Fail
A new, more demanding maths curriculum introduced in New Zealand schools is expected to result in lower student achievement rates, according to leading education experts. Researchers from Massey University and the University of Auckland warn that without substantial investment in teacher development and resources, the government's tougher standards could make the majority of students feel like failures, rather than making them smarter.
Why are experts worried about the new maths curriculum?
When the government announced sweeping changes to the maths curriculum last year, the promise was higher achievement. The reality on the ground, however, looks starkly different. The New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER), which runs the Curriculum Insights study alongside Otago University, was preparing to create new benchmarks last year. They abandoned that plan upon learning of further curriculum shifts.
Charles Darr from NZCER told RNZ that the shifting goalposts made benchmarking impossible in the short term. Meanwhile, maths experts and teachers have observed that the new curriculum, rolled out this year, is considerably more difficult.
Curriculum Insights test scores show no real improvement in most children's proficiency. Only Year 3 students saw a statistically significant bump compared to 2023. Massey University Professor Jodie Hunter said this stagnation makes lower achievement rates a reasonable assumption.