Six years and $250m down the track, has the National Standards education policy been a success?
Recent data shows just a small increase in achievement levels, and questions are again being asked about the impact of the standards - not just on achievement but on the whole primary system.
National Standards was introduced in 2010 after a successful National Party election campaign. They require teachers to judge children twice-yearly against a four-point scale, and were prompted by concerns that one in five students were leaving school without basic literacy and numeracy skills.
Education Minister Hekia Parata said the small increases in achievement would grow larger over time, as the standards bedded in.
Are NZ schools making the grade? Here is the latest selection of Your Views:
