Genes are a bigger influence on exam results than teachers, schools or the family, new British research has shown.

A student learning expert has suggested a top-level review of the schooling system after international testing showed 15-year-olds had slipped in maths, science and reading.

PISA envy is rife at the moment as we find NZ has slipped. This should be a shot of reality and force us not to be complacent with the status quo.

Editorial: It is highly appropriate that NZ officials have been to Asia to identify the key points of the successful programmes there. But implementing their findings on what works will require political will.

Should we worry about our ranking? No, not per se, writes Dr Fiona Ell. Focusing on one number, one position in the race, who our neighbours on the list are is missing the point.

New international test results in reading, science and maths show that Australian education is going backwards - a declining trend that has been going on for the past decade, writes Dr Sue Thomson.

Education Minister Hekia Parata is preparing for an embarrassing drop in New Zealand's education rankings in an international survey next week.

Student says decision to swap rugby for some hard study will pay off as thousands start their NCEA finals

As parents and citizens, it is time to question a culture that encourages teenage boys to treat girls like sexual objects, writes Katie Fitzpatrick.

New Zealand is among the top 10 best places to be a woman, according to a worldwide report on gender equality.

Every New Zealand classroom will soon have access to digital devices - opening up huge learning opportunities, but also a risk of another "digital divide".

New Zealand secondary school students will soon sit their exams online as lengthy paper and pen assessments face extinction.

Primary school students spend nearly an hour each night doing homework, a national survey says, but some parents and teachers question the value of after-school study.

New Zealand principals have been warned they could breach the Human Rights Act if they stop students taking same-sex partners to their school balls.

Acting Secretary for Education Peter Hughes has been appointed head of the Ministry of Education.

The report plans for the creation of a "Finishing School for New Zealand Political Aspirants - the Cabbage Boat Academy", writes Toby Manhire.

Bullrush and other potentially bruising activities are returning to play as research points to the long-term benefits of scraped knees and the odd broken bone.

A secondary school is sticking to its decision to ban non-donation paying students from its ball, as another parent calls the policy blackmail.

Police have asked schools to warn students and parents off boozy after-parties during the ball season.

There won't be any changes to legislation around the controversial partnership schools despite opposition parties continuing their objections to elements of the bill.

Backers of a controversial scheme to fast-track trainee teachers into classrooms are claiming initial success, with all 16 inaugural graduates passing their first three months as teachers.

The Government will invest $80.5 million of operating funding over four years to lift educational achievement, including funding for behaviour programmes.

It's exam time for applicants hoping to run charter schools, the Act Party's competitive prod at state schools which are said to be failing too many Maori, Pacific and other "disadvantaged" kids.

United Future leader Peter Dunne has said he won't support a bill to introduce charter schools. However, the bill will go ahead with National, Act and Maori Party support.