Evidence about the ‘how’ of a shift away from ‘ability grouping’ in education

In the report Ending streaming in Aotearoa the Ngāi Tahu-led Māori Futures Collective, Tokona Te Raki, with the support of 72 Iwi, is calling for urgent action on the policy imperative to end streaming and ‘ability’ grouping in education in Aotearoa.

Introduction/Whakataki

NZEI Te Riu Roa has endorsed the report and called for urgency, seeking support and resource for national change.

Since 2003, a series of best evidence resources has highlighted evidence about the gains for diverse (all) learners when effective research and development informs mixed ‘ability’ grouping.

Read 'Walking the talk':

Invited paper for the International Bureau of Education - UNESCO Project: Rethinking and repositioning curriculum in the 21st century: A global paradigm shift. Evidence, Data and Knowledge, Ministry of Education, Wellington: New Zealand.


These resources include best evidence in action videos featuring the multi-award-winning Developing Mathematical Inquiry Communities pedagogy - a re/invention of educational practice led by Professor Roberta Hunter and Associate Professor Jodie Hunter in New Zealand. As the videos take you into primary and intermediate classes across Aotearoa, they explain, reference, and bring the evidence to life through the perspectives of the experts, the in-class mentors, school leaders, teachers, whānau, iwi, school trustees, teacher aides and children.

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View the Developing Mathematical Inquiry Communities Best evidence features:

Developing Mathematical Inquiry Communities

    01. Developing Mathematical Inquiry Communities

    02. A parent’s perspective

    03. Strategic change leadership meeting

    04. Mixed ability grouping

    05. Problem and launch

    06. Learning to listen

    07. Teacher development

    08. Impacts

    09. Group norms

    10. Learning for life

    11. Learning together

    12. Perspectives

    13. It’s a journey

    14. Culturally responsive pedagogy

    15. Fundamental shifts

School leadership for improvement in primary mathematics education: Russell School best evidence in action implementation exemplar

    01. Pedagogical Leadership – Preparation Year 0

    02. Teachers Responding to the Challenge

    03. Building Social Competencies for Accelerated Improvement

    04. The Mathematics Communication and Participation Framework: Integrated Progressions

    05. In-class mentoring for accelerated pedagogical improvement

    06. Deep Change: Applied post-graduate study

    07. Collaborative lesson study for sustainability

    08. Towards Kāhui Ako: Building learning community

    09. Family and community: Partners in change

    10. Russell School: The Difference

Hangaia te Urupounamu Pāngarau Mō Tātou

    01. Hangaia te Urupounamu Pāngarau Mō Tātou

    02. Cultural Identity

    03. The Professional Learning and Development Approach

    04. Voice and Confidence

    05. Geometry - Connections: Tapa – Siapo – Ngatu

    06. Resilience

    07. Lifting Expectations

Ambitious mathematics for young Pacific learners: Dr Jodie Hunter demonstrates algebraic thinking for tivaevae

    01. The Launch

    02. Group Work

    03. Sharing Back

    04. The Connect

Ambitious mathematics: Ratios, decimals, fractions and time for Ta’ovala Learning from Pacific expertise in education

    01. Teacher Preparation for Culturally Responsive Teaching

    02. The Lesson Launch

    03. Low Floor, High Ceiling Tasks: Ambitious Mathematics for Mixed Ability Groups

    04. Deeper Learning

    05. Sharing Back: Teacher Observation Matters

    06. The Connect: Reinforcing the Learning

    07. A challenging pedagogy for deeper thinking

    08. Equity, excellence, respect and success through mixed ability groups: the children explain

    09. Building student and teacher confidence and success: School leadership matters


These resources have also been developed through a valued partnership with NZEI Te Riu Roa.

Read the Ako Journal article:
View Professor Roberta Hunter’s and Associate Professor Jodie Hunter’s recent webinar for the U.S. National Commission on Mathematics Instruction:
Read Associate Professor Jodie Hunter’s and Professor Roberta Hunter’s article on enhancing learning and relationships between students, families and teachers using on-line collaboration during the Covid-19 pandemic:

To all who have contributed:  Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou.