62367 (2024). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education

62367 (2024). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education: How, if at all, are the minimum performance targets for reading holding Charter Schools to "a much higher standard than state schools"?

Hon David Seymour: All schools will be aiming to meet and surpass the standardised target of 80% of primary students above the expected curriculum and 95% of school leavers reaching NCEA level 2 or above. However, unlike state schools, charter schools will be set minimum requirements for achievement before facing interventions, including possibly having their contract terminated. The minimum performance thresholds will be adjusted for the socio-economic barriers faced by students, measured by the Equity Index (EQI). They will be determined based on the principle that charter schools will need to perform in the top half of all schools within their specific EQI group. Attendance targets will work in the same way, with those facing fewer barriers having a minimum performance threshold of 60% regular attendance, and those with more barriers beginning with a minimum of 35% regular attendance. Across all state schools the average was 53.2% in Term 2 of 2024.