Consolidation of support for NCEA

Analysis of secondary school survey data by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) shows support for the NCEA qualification has further consolidated among principals, teachers and boards of trustees.

The survey series has tracked attitudes towards the National Certificate of Educational Achievement since 2003.

The latest results, from a survey completed in 2009 and contained in a recently released report called The evolving NCEA, show near unanimous support from principals for the qualification. More than two thirds of teachers are now supportive.

Many parents are still unsure about NCEA though their support has also risen. The survey shows parents become more familiar with the system once their children are in their NCEA years and many appear to be more supportive at that point.

The author of the report, NZCER chief researcher Rosemary Hipkins says it is useful to look at the impact of changes, to consider what’s worked and what still needs improving.

The survey probed recent changes to NCEA, including the endorsement of certificates with merit or excellence and the review of standards that can contribute to NCEA.

Respondents strongly agreed with the move to certificate endorsement. Principals, in particular, believe it has motivated students to work harder.

Compared to the 2006 survey, more principals and teachers think NCEA is motivating for high-achieving students but fewer of them now think it motivates lower achievers to do their best.

There was also a mixed response to the recent changes to moderation processes aimed at strengthening the consistency of NCEA judgements across schools.

Principals say the feedback schools receive is now more informative for determining national standards of achievement but perceptions of moderation inconsistencies persist.
Survey responses were from a broadly representative sample of secondary schools around NZ.