Investing in what works, An open letter to Parliament
5 min read
Today an open letter has been sent to Parliament, outlining strong opposition to charter schools by 65 of New Zealands professors, educators, MPs, and others. Here is the open letter in full, with all signatories names.
Investing in what works
Everyone agrees that all children should receive the education that meets their needs: that engages, motivates and supports them to learn to their full potential. In Aotearoa we have the knowledge to make this happen, but sadly it seems that we sometimes lack the political will.
This governments charter school plans are a distraction from investing more in what we know works for the young learners we represent and work with. Some of these things include increasing opportunities for bi-lingual education, supporting high quality te reo learning in kura and mainstream settings, programmes such as Te Kotahitanga and the various AIMHI initiatives. While the government has recently announced more resourcing for some of these, others have had funding withdrawn or frozen.
Charter schools will also take the focus away from developing the special character and Kura Kaupapa Maori models which already give New Zealand state schooling unprecedented flexibility. These models need more support, more opportunity to share good practice and innovation, and not to be undermined by the latest, politically driven fad.
Charter schools are part of the problem, not part of the solution
On the advent of the government passing the charter schools legislation, we express our deep concern that this initiative is a serious wrong turn for education. The legislation allows for-profit and foreign-owned organisations to set up schools. It permits unqualified people to replace qualified and registered teachers and principals. It removes the right of parents to take part in school governance. And it takes no account of how new charter schools may impact on existing schools. There is a serious concern that in the process of introducing charter schools, groups of students are being put at risk.
Charter schools exploit vulnerable children
Charter schools are not the solution for New Zealands most vulnerable leaners. Overseas, charter schools have not raised achievement for children who need it the most. For example the US-based KIPP (Knowledge is Power Programme) charter schools which have been held up as a successful example, have a push-out rate of 40% for African American boys before Grade 8 (Year 9). This is the opposite of what we need in New Zealand for our Maori and Pasifika boys.
Our most vulnerable learners need more assistance, not less. They need schools responsible directly to parents; they need trained and qualified teachers who are supported in an ongoing manner by effective professional development that has shown results; they need their schools to provide information when parents request it; their parents need access to the Ombudsman. Why would these most vulnerable of children get less than every other child in New Zealand and why would they be subject to being profited from just because they are deemed to be struggling?
Dont experiment on children; do what works.
Yours sincerely
Professor Russell Bishop
Professor of M?ori Education
Faculty of Education
University of Waikato
Dr. Damon Salesa
Associate Professor
Department of Pacific Studies
Univerity of Auckland
Deborah Morris-Travers
Manager
Every Child Counts
Trish Grant
Director of Advocacy
IHC
Dr. Tamasailau Suaalii-Sauni
Senior Lecturer
Pacific Studies & Samoan Studies Programmes
Vaaomanu Pasifika Unit
Victoria University of Wellington
Dr. Peter Brunt
Art History
School of Art History, Classics and Religious Studies
Victoria University of Wellington
Dr. Teresia Teaiwa
Senior Lecturer and Post-Graduate Coordinator
Pacific Studies
Victoria University of Wellington
Anne Milne
Principal
Kia Aroha College
Philip Harding
President
NZ Principals Federation
Dr. Leonie Pihama
Senior Research Fellow
Te Kotahi Research Institute
University of Waikato
Ngaropi Cameron
Chief Executive
Senior Family Violence Programme Facilitator & Educator
Tu Tama Wahine O Taranaki Inc
Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith
Professor of Education and M?ori Development
Pro-Vice Chancellor M?ori
University of Waikato
Dr. Margie Hohepa
Associate Professor
Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research
University of Waikato
Dr. Carl Mika
Lecturer in Policy, Cultural and Social Studies in Education
University of Waikato
Dr. Hinemoa Elder
Fellow of the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
Professor Trish Johnston
Head of School of Indigenous Graduate Studies
Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiaragi
Jenny Joy Lee
Dr. Mera Penehira
University of Waikato
Marley Matamua
Operations Manager
Te Kotahi Research Institute
University of Waikato
Dr. Rangi Matamua
Lecturer in Te Reo M?ori
Massey University
Dr. Ranginui Walker, DCNZM
Deirdre Walker
Herearoha Skipper
Pouwhakahaere
Pro Vice Chancellor Maaori Office
The University of Waikato
Ngaropi Cameron
Manager, Senior Family Violence Programme Facilitator & Educator
Tu Tama Wahine O Taranaki
Ronald Ngata, BSS (Hons)
Maryann Lee
Educational Designer
Centre for Educational Design and Development
University of Auckland
Dr. Ani Mikaere
Kaihautu of Te Whare Whakatupu Matauranga
Te Wananga o Raukawa
Angeline Greensill, LLB, TTC
Lecturer
Geography, Tourism and Environmental Planning Programme
School of Social Sciences
University of Waikato
Helen Te Hira
Dr. Amohia Boulton
Senior Researcher
Whakauae Research for M?ori Health and Development
Whanganui
Dr. Robert Gregory
Adjunct Professor of Political Science
School of Government
Victoria University of Wellington
Dr. Wally Penetito
Retired Prof. of Education
Te Kura M?ori
Faculty of Education
Victoria University of Wellington
Metiria Turei
Member of Parliament
Co-Leader of the Green Party
Lesley Rameka
Senior Lecturer
Educational Psychology and Pedagogy
Faculty of Education
Victoria University of Wellington
Dr. Cindy Kiro
Head of School Te Kura M?ori
Victoria University of Wellington
Seth Brown, DPhil
Senior Lecturer
Institute of Education
Massey University
Dr. Jenny Boyack
Massey University
Steve K.W. Lang, PhD
Senior Lecturer
Institute of Education
Massey University
Dr. Tim Burgess
Senior Lecturer: Mathematics and Statistics Education
Institute of Education
Massey University
Brian Finch EdD
School of Educational Studies
Institute of Education
Massey University
Dr. Roberta Hunter
Massey University
Dr. Michael Irwin
Institute of Education
Massey University
Auckland
Dr. Tracey-Lynne Cody
Lecturer Arts Education & Initial Teacher Education
Massey University
Dr. Peter Rawlins
Senior Lecturer
Institute of Education
Massey University
Leaufaamulia Asenati Lole-Taylor
Member of Parliament
Dr. Kama Weir
Institute of Education
Massey University
Maurice Walden
Wellington Tenths Trust Board Member
Damon Heke
Te Taitonga Kapa Haka Trust
Kapa Haka Tutor, Community Liason
Kelly Henare-Heke
Te Taitonga Kapa Haka Trust
Kapa Haka Tutor, Community Liason
Dudley Adams
Clendon Park School
Deputy Principal
Avele Tanielu
Teacher in Charge of Samoan Language
Papatoetoe High School
Penelope Togiatama
Pasefika Liason
Papatoetoe High School
Mohi Thompson
Kaumatua
Manurewa Intermediate School
TeAriki Tuiono
Teacher Te Whanau Awhina
Clendon Park School
Matene Karena
HoL M?ori
Alfriston College
Barbara Tauranga
Kuia
Opuatia Marae
Dr. Alyson McGee
Senior Lecturer
Institute of Education
Massey University
Annette Sykes
Barrister and Solicitor
Partner Aurere Law
Dr. Penny Haworth
Institute of Education
Massey University
Nanaia Mahuta
Member of Parliament for Hauraki-Waikato
Carmel Sepuloni
Sua William Sio
Member of Parliament for Mangere
Dr Diane Lysette Mara
Associate Dead Pasifika
Faculty of Education
University of Auckland
Professor Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop
Professor of Pacific Studies
AUT University
Michael OBrien
Director
Child Poverty Action Group
