'Make It Count' Plan Unveiled to Address Decline in Maths Achievement

The initiative, launched yesterday with the Prime Minister, comprises three key components: Curriculum, Workforce, and Assessment.

Education Minister Erica Stanford has announced new accountability measures as part of the Government’s "Make It Count" action plan to address New Zealand’s concerning maths achievement rates. The initiative, launched yesterday with the Prime Minister, comprises three key components: Curriculum, Workforce, and Assessment.

“Currently, only 22% of our Year 8 students meet the expected standard for maths,” Ms. Stanford stated. “This decline in achievement cannot continue. We must work together to ensure all Kiwi kids have equal learning opportunities. Our new approach will hold the education system accountable for delivering the necessary improvements.”

The fourth component of the "Make It Count" plan focuses on accountability, detailing several changes:

Curriculum: A new Years 0-8 maths curriculum will be introduced from Term 1, 2025, with supporting resources provided to primary and intermediate schools.

Workforce: An investment of $20 million will fund professional development for teachers in structured maths. The Teaching Council will also raise maths entry requirements for new teachers.

Assessment: Twice-yearly maths assessments will be implemented in primary schools starting in 2025, with targeted small group interventions for students significantly behind.

Additional measures include:

Early and frequent intervention by the Ministry of Education in schools with poor student achievement.

An overhaul of the Education Review Office’s reporting to focus on student progress, achievement, and assessment.

Enhanced maths training for trainee teachers to better prepare them for the new curriculum.

Recent data reveals only 45% of students achieved the NCEA co-requisite standard for numeracy this year, marking a 10-percentage point decline from last year. Achievement in Māori medium and Kaupapa Māori settings is even more concerning at just 25%.

“Our target is to have 80% of Year 8 students meeting or exceeding the expected curriculum level in maths by December 2030,” Ms. Stanford emphasized. “We are acting swiftly to transform how maths is taught and supported in New Zealand. Our Government is committed to working with the education sector to provide the necessary training, support, and resources to improve student achievement and close the equity gap.”