Our Ref: OIA-26-412
6 May 2026
Phillip Fry
[email address]
Dear Phillip,
Re: Official Information Act request for the reform of ERO’s school reports I refer to your email to the Education Review Office dated 9 April 2026 requesting the following
information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA):
1. Confirmation of whether any evidence reviews, research summaries, or internal advice were
prepared that assessed whether the proposed reporting format (including simplified judgements
or colour-coded summaries) would support school improvement and equitable outcomes.
2. If such information exists, confirmation of that fact. I am not requesting copies of the material
at this stage.
3. If no such information exists, confirmation that no such analysis or advice was created or relied
upon in developing the reporting framework.
ERO’s new school reports do not represent a change in our review methodology. We continue to use
Te Ara Huarau, which focuses on working alongside schools to understand their context and support
improvement over time. Reporting formats are most effective when they are embedded within a
broader evaluation and improvement system that includes professional dialogue, high quality narrative
feedback, school self-review, and targeted support. All of which are fundamental parts of ERO Te Ara
Huarau methodology. This approach ensures our reports are a tool that can drive improvement, which
are most effective when they are well understood.
Changes to the reports were driven in part by feedback from parents that previous reports were
unclear and relied too heavily on education jargon, limiting their ability to engage with their children’s
schools. The new reports are designed to be more accessible, enabling parents to better understand
the quality of education their children are receiving, make informed choices, and effectively support
and challenge their school. Across OECD systems, research synthesis shows that simplified or colour
coded summaries improve accessibility and parent comprehension.
Advice to the Minister of Education on these changes, along with summaries of the feedback received,
will be made publicly available on ERO’s website.
Please note that it is our policy to proactively release our responses to official information requests
where possible. We do not publish requesters' personal information.
Ko te Tamaiti te Pūtake o te Kaupapa
The Child – the Heart of the Matter
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information
about how to make a complaint is available
at http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone
0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi,
Shelley Booysen
Deputy Chief Executive – Review and Improvement Services
Ko te Tamaiti te Pūtake o te Kaupapa
The Child – the Heart of the Matter
