The Government is changing regulations on school planning, reporting and parent reporting. The changes:

• strengthen the focus on student achievement
• give parents clearer and more consistent information about their child’s learning.

These changes are part of wider education reforms that include making educational achievement the main objective for school boards and the introduction of a twice-yearly assessment in reading, writing and mathematics.

Requirements for school boards#

Updates to the Education (School Planning and Reporting) Regulations 2023 mean that school boards will need to have at least 3 strategic goals. This must include at least 1 strategic goal focused on educational achievement in reading, writing and/or mathematics.

The changes are designed to:

• simplify planning requirements
• create a clearer link between school priorities, student outcomes, and how progress is measured and reported. 

Support for national education strategies#

School boards will no longer have to show how their strategic goals support national education strategies. Ka Hikitia, the Action Plan for Pacific Education and the Oranga Tamariki Action Plan are examples of national education strategies. Schools and kura can keep using these national education strategies when they develop their strategic plans. 

The Government remains committed to delivering equitable outcomes for Māori and Pacific learners and these strategies are important for setting long-term priorities across the education system.

Reporting to parents#

Changes to the Education (School Boards) Regulations 2020 will introduce expectations for reporting to parents that are the same nationally.

From 1 January 2027, schools will have to provide twice-yearly reports to parents. The reports will include:

• assessment results
• progress and achievement information
• attendance
• next learning steps
• information about support being provided where students are well below curriculum expectations. 

The changes to regulations for both school planning and reporting and parent reporting will be published by the start of Term 4, 2026. 

We will provide updated guidance, templates and support to help schools implement the new requirements.