This report explores the origins and consequences of New Zealand’s adherence to child-centred education. It contrasts the scientific consensus about how children learn with the different and, in many ways, contradictory advice given to educators and policymakers. It exposes how parts of the research community confuse evidence with values. It also uncovers how curriculum and...

The recommendations in this report will raise expectations and equity by creating a safety-net of core subjects all students must master. They will reduce teachers’ workloads and the volume of assessment, reduce the opportunities and incentives to teach to the test, and improve teaching and learning.