NCEA
in Context:
Education before qualification
The authors of a book
being released today on the National Certificate of Educational Achievement
(NCEA) say it’s important that the secondary school qualification is used to
promote education that prepares students for citizenship, further study and
work, rather than simply giving them credentials.
Two Victoria University
of Wellington senior lecturers have collaborated with a chief researcher from
the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) to write NCEA In
Context—a four-part book which presents an analysis of the past, present
and potential future of NCEA.
Victoria Faculty of
Education contributors, senior lecturers Dr Michael Johnston and Dr Mark
Sheehan, and NZCER contributor, Dr Rosemary Hipkins, say the book aims to give
educators working with NCEA new ideas on how to use the qualification to the
best advantage of their students.
“We want students to be
educated rather than just qualified. The key message of NCEA In Context
is that curriculum and learning need to be at the forefront of what is
happening in the classroom,” says Dr Sheehan.
“This book isn’t about
policy change, it’s about practice change,” says Dr Johnston.
"We sought out strong examples,
to emphasise that these types of changes are already happening in some
schools," says Dr Hipkins.
The book looks at the
precursors to NCEA, the impact NCEA has had on teaching and learning,
challenges and shifts in its early implementation, as well as potential
opportunities to use NCEA to improve the quality of education and its
relationship with the New Zealand Curriculum.
Each of the authors
brings a variety of experience and expertise to the book. Dr Johnston led
psychometric and statistical work at the New Zealand Qualifications Authority
to support the reform of NCEA between 2005 and 2011. Dr Sheehan is a historian
and history educator who has contributed to the development of achievement
standards for NCEA. Dr Hipkins from NZCER is a highly experienced researcher who has been tracking NCEA's
development since its inception. She has a background in science education, and
has had a long career in curriculum development and assessment.
The book is published by
NZCER and is being launched 12 September at Victoria University.
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