Back to Basics: Why New Data Proves NZ's Education Reforms Are Working

New Zealand education reforms are starting to show early signs of promise, with fresh data confirming that the Government’s back-to-basics approach is already moving the needle on student achievement.

According to the latest Curriculum Insights & Progress Study (CIPS) data, collected in Term 4 of 2024, the percentage of Year 8 students meeting curriculum benchmarks in mathematics has crept up from 22% in 2023 to 23%, a modest but meaningful shift. Meanwhile, 24% of Year 8 students are now meeting expectations in writing, marking the first national-level benchmark since the new curriculum was introduced.

While these figures may not scream ‘success’ at first glance, Education Minister Erica Stanford says the real story lies in the direction of change.

"This data provides a crucial snapshot of where we were before our reform program took effect. It confirms what we already knew—that we had to act quickly and decisively to reverse decades of decline in core learning areas," she says.

The Government responded with a no-nonsense action plan in 2024, making it compulsory for primary schools to dedicate at least one hour each day to reading, writing and maths. This was part of the broader "Make It Count" maths action plan and a complete overhaul of the literacy strategy through the mandatory rollout of structured literacy.

There’s more! A world-class new English and Maths curriculum has been introduced, accompanied by top-quality teaching resources, targeted learning interventions and increased investment in support services.

These early indicators suggest the Government's "relentless focus on the basics" is not just political rhetoric. It’s a necessary, overdue reset. Given that less than one in four Year 8 students are currently in the curriculum in reading, writing or maths, there is still a lot more to go. 

Erica Stanford summarized the sentiment well:

“We are highly ambitious for Kiwi kids. We want them to have strong foundations to thrive at school and in life. These reforms are how we get there.”

With further progress expected as the reforms become embedded, parents and educators alike have good reason to be cautiously optimistic. The data may still paint a sobering picture, but for the first time in a long time, the trendline is finally pointing upward.