Consultation feedback shows strong support from parents for National Standards, Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced.

The Ministry of Education consulted widely between May and July on the Standards, which aim to lift the levels of achievement in literacy and numeracy for New Zealand children in primary and intermediate schools.

More than 11,000 people attended sector and parent meetings or gave written submissions.

"Parents want toeasily understand how their children are progressing at school, and said they support the plain language reporting which National Standards will deliver from next year," said Mrs Tolley.

"Over 2,000 parents and family members were involved in face-to-face discussions, with 3,000 making submissions. They want to know more about what is going on in schools so they can support their children's learning. They would also like practical assistance and support from schools.

"Teachers and principals also emphasised the usefulness of parents having clear, timely, honest and accurate information."

National Standards will be published and distributed to schools in October this year, with schools required to assess students against the Standards and report in plain language to parents about their child's progress and achievement from 2010.

"Having listened tothe sector's concerns during consultation, schools won't have to begin submitting data to the Ministry of Education until 2012, against targets set for National Standards achievement in their 2011 charters," said MrsTolley.

"Sector feedback was also taken into consideration in finalising the Standards, such as aligning them more closely to the New Zealand Curriculum. The Ministry is currently working on this, as well as preparing materials to support teachers to use the Standards."

Copies of the analysis of feedback, and NZCER and Ministry reports on the consultation, are
available at www.minedu.govt.nz.