Improvements to the education system

The purpose of the Highest Needs Review was to understand how the system was enabling children and young people with the highest needs to achieve their full potential in an inclusive education system that delivers fair and excellent outcomes.

One in five children and young people need extra support for their learning which includes learning difficulties, disadvantage, physical or mental health, or behaviour. Learning supports are critical for learners who face persistent barriers to attending, participating, and progressing in education.

We received about 1,100 submissions on the Highest Needs Review between April 2021 and October 2022. This feedback and input from an Advisory Group helped inform options for change presented to Cabinet.

The scale of change envisaged by the review will require significant time and investment to achieve, and further work with representatives from various communities on those initial options provided to Cabinet identified that we needed to consider our approach again. This further work led to updated advice to Cabinet (July 2023) noting the need for, more work to co-develop and design options and solutions with Māori, Pacific people, people with disabilities, people with learning support needs and communities.

In April 2024, as part of the new Government’s work programme, Minister of Education, Hon Erica Stanford announced 6 priorities for education.

Education priorities focused on lifting achievement – Beehive

One of these priorities is targeting effective learning support interventions for students with additional needs. The purpose of this priority is to strengthen the learning support system so we can respond better to the needs of learners and their families through evidence-based approaches and targeted investment for equitable educational outcomes.

Targeting learning support for better student achievement

Background documents

These key documents listed below provide the background information to the Highest Needs Review:

The Highest Needs Review (key documents)

Report on stakeholder views

The Highest Needs Review had 2 phases of engagement, with NZCER developing an analysis of stakeholder feedback.

Translated and accessible versions of the stakeholder report’s summary