These sound like great times to be at school, as a pupil or teacher.
Testing for national standards is about to be abolished, NCEA pass rate targets are almost certain to go, and today we report the worth of assigning (and marking) homework is being questioned.
A survey of teachers, parents and students by a researcher at Massey University has found more than a third of them doubt the value of homework, 37 per cent of the teachers and pupils and 38 per cent of the parents.
Far higher proportions agreed homework was stressful, made them tired or frustrated and left little time for other activities in the evening. But obviously many thought the time, trouble and stress was worthwhile.
Homework can be a bugbear for parents as well as pupils, not to mention the marking load for teachers.