Schools being advised of decile ratings

The Ministry of Education is contacting all schools over this week and next week to let them know the outcome of the latest recalculation of school decile ratings, the Ministry’s deputy secretary for student achievement Graham Stoop says.

“We want to make sure decile-linked funding goes to those schools who need it most. We update decile ratings after each census to ensure they accurately reflect the latest information on school communities.

“This is about fairness. We want to ensure extra funding goes to support those students who need it most.

“Any school is entitled to seek a review of its new decile rating if it believes the rating doesn’t accurately reflect the socio-economic circumstances of its students.

“Of the country’s 2406 state and state-integrated schools, roughly one-third have moved to a lower decile rating, one-third have moved up, and one-third have remained the same. A total of 800 schools have moved to a lower decile rating, while 784 schools have moved to a higher decile rating. For another 822 schools, there has been no change.

“Schools that move to a lower decile rating will have an increase in funding, while those going to a higher decile rating will have a reduction in funding over 18 months.

“For most schools the changes in funding will be a small percentage of their operational grant. But we recognise that any reduction in funding will be an adjustment, which is why this time the government has introduced an 18 month transition period for any schools with a reduction in funding. Increases in funding will however take effect much sooner, in January 2015.

“We will be working closely with schools to give them any support they need to adjust to changes. It’s important to remember a school’s decile rating does not reflect the quality of education a school provides. The quality of teaching and leadership at a school are the most important factors in lifting student achievement,” Dr Stoop says.