Categories: News

Ending streaming: the first annual report

Kōkirihia Annual Report 2024 details the first year of destreaming across Aotearoa to achieve more equitable outcomes.

A new report detailing the first year of destreaming efforts in Aotearoa, named Kōkirihia Annual Report 2024, has been released.

The new report documents progress from the original destreaming plan titled Kōkirihia – The plan to end streaming in our schools. This plan has three key parts: awareness, alternatives and actions. 

Read the latest print edition of School News HERE

On awareness, there has been increasing understanding and research on the harms of streaming in our schools. Streaming has been shown to be one of the key drivers of inequity, with Māori, Pacific and low-SES students being over-represented in lower streams. Lower stream classes are found to trap students in a low achievement pathway. Media coverage of the harms of streaming also increased, with community engagement rising and Kōkirihia being noted in the 2022 OECD Pisa report.  

Alternatives to streaming have been implemented in many schools, with viable alternate models proving to lift achievement and improve outcomes. High expectations from teachers and mixed-ability classroom structures and groupings led to improved student achievement. Mixed-ability and flexible grouping, supportive class environment and skill-based goal setting and teacher monitoring were shown to be key characteristics of destreamed classrooms. Several schools and initatives were highlighted, such as Te Kōmanawa Rowley School, Christ’s College, and Fairfield College.  

Finally, creating a movement for rangatahi was highlighted as a predominant action. This ensured young people felt they had autonomy over their futures and were part of the decision making around destreaming.  

Ending streaming practises 

Kōkirihia – The plan to end streaming in our schools, was released in early 2023 following years of research that showed streaming was leading to inequitable outcomes in our schools, especially for rangatahi Māori.  

The plan was jointly created by the Ministry of Education, Mātauranga Iwi Leaders Group, and Tokona te Raki. Input was sought and received from these groups as well as rangatahi, tumuaki, CORE education, universities, NZQA and ERO.  

The first annual report and the Kōkirihia action plan can be found here in full.  

Naomii Seah

Naomii Seah is a writer and journalist from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. She has been covering education in New Zealand since 2022.

Recent Posts

English curriculum draft out for consultation

The much-delayed English draft curriculum is now out for consultation, generating discussion from teachers.

2 weeks ago

Arts, culture and recreation positive for the wellbeing of rangatahi

Research from AUT demonstrates arts, culture and recreation have positive impacts on all aspects of…

2 weeks ago

School phone ban one year on: our student survey reveals mixed feelings about its success

How effective has the school phone ban been in achieving its aims? Researchers from the…

2 weeks ago

Learning growing and exploring with school camps and excursions

School camps and excursions deliver hands on learning experiences, helping to consolidate classroom learning.

2 weeks ago

Could an AV system improve learning outcomes and student engagement?

Innovations in AV technologies present new opportunities to engage with students. We look at how…

2 weeks ago

What makes a good teacher?

A new report from the University of Auckland’s Our Voices Project asks young people what…

4 weeks ago