The New Zealand curriculum

Curriculum Insights and Progress Study

The Curriculum Insights and Progress Study is a New Zealand study that monitors student achievement and progress against the New Zealand Curriculum for Year 3, 6, and 8 students. There are two assessment programmes:

• Foundational area assessments monitor progress in reading, writing and mathematics.
• Learning area assessments provide insights and exemplars and explore the factors that influence student progress in two curriculum areas each year.

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National Monitoring Study of Student Achievement (NMSSA)

The Curriculum Insights and Progress Study builds on a previous assessment study: the National Monitoring Study of Student Achievement.

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International studies

Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS)

PIRLS assesses Year 5 students' reading literacy.

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Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)

TIMSS assesses achievement in mathematics and science in Year 5 and Year 9.

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Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)

PISA assesses three key areas of knowledge and skills: reading, mathematical and science literacy in 15-year-old students.

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Senior secondary attainment

Secondary education runs from Year 9 to Year 13 (approximate ages 13-18), with qualifications typically being undertaken in years 11–13. National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is the main form of student achievement in New Zealand, but some schools undertake other forms of assessment such as International Baccalaureate.

School leaver's attainment

This is the main measure of secondary student attainment. It focuses on the highest qualification a student achieves as they finish school, considers NCEA and other forms of assessment, and also looks at Vocational Pathways Awards and progression to tertiary education.

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Tracked Year 11 cohort – Attainment timeframes for Level 2 certificate

This measure follows learners at the start of Year 11 and identifies the proportion of those learners who attain a level 2 certificate two years and four years after starting Year 11.

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