Upston Louise: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Upston Louise: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:657;Page:6626] 
5.  
LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupo) 
 to the  
Minister of Education 
: What is the Government doing to support schools to raise achievement for Maori students? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Education) 
: 
 Yesterday the Hon Dr Pita Sharples and I announced that 17 more schools will benefit from the Te Kotahitanga secondary schools programme next year. Funding of almost $20 million over 4 years will allow the number of schools taking part in Te Kotahitanga to expand from 33 to 50. I am delighted that we have been able to extend the programme which will now benefit an extra 7000 Maori students. 
Louise Upston 
: What reports has the Minister seen about commitments to raise Maori student achievement? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY 
: I have seen a report from the Hon Phil Goff. He said last weekend to Maori students: “under Labour you are going to do much better. You are going to achieve more.” Because we have not heard anything other than this puffy promise one can only assume that this means more than the “Wassup!” badges that the previous Labour Minister of Education personally signed off and proudly defended in this House. Do members remember those badges? I am proud that this Government is investing in something that actually makes a difference for our Maori students—Te Kotahitanga. 
Kelvin Davis 
: If Te Kotahitanga is about teacher-pupil relationships which is identified in research as the 11th most effective strategy for raising achievement what plans does the Minister have to support the 10 other strategies that researchers identified as being even more effective at raising achievement? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY 
: As that member well knows formative assessment which he blogged about recently is one of those strategies and national standards that this Government is introducing will address that. 
Kelvin Davis 
: If research identifies that parents who understand the language of education are better able to engage with their children’s teachers in schools which assists their children’s learning what plans if any does the Minister have to assist Maori parents to understand the language of education so that they may engage with their children’s teachers in schools and assist their children’s learning? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY 
: I am delighted that that member has asked me that question. We have just come through a consultation around national standards. Over 2000 parents came along to consultation meetings including many Maori and Pasifika whanau. We had 3000 written submissions to that consultation and they were very clear about what they want from education. First of all they want to know in clear language how their children are doing at school. They want to know what they can do to be of assistance to those children and how they can know their children’s strengths and weaknesses. That is exactly what our national standards policy will deliver to Maori Pasifika and European families. 
Te Ururoa Flavell 
: Is it true that the rationale behind He Kakano the new professional learning and school-based development programme is to develop culturally responsive leadership? How will that lead to improved Maori outcomes in education? 
Hon ANNE TOLLEY 
: Yes that member is absolutely correct. He Kakano will develop culturally responsible leadership in up to 100 principals from next year. All the evidence shows us that Maori students succeed when schools recognise value and respect Maori culture and language.