Evidence supporting Minister’s claim that parents do not understand NCEA grades
Laydan Mortensen made this Official Information request to Ministry of Education
The request was refused by Ministry of Education.
From: Laydan Mortensen
Dear Ministry of Education,
Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request copies of any reports, research, surveys, polling, focus group findings, briefing papers, aide-memoires, Cabinet papers, communications advice, talking points, draft media lines, or other advice relating to parental understanding of NCEA grading terminology.
In particular, I request any information used to support the statement made by Minister for Education Erica Stanford on 4 August 2025 that:
“Parents can’t help their children improve their grades when they don’t know what they mean.”
This request specifically concerns evidence relating to understanding of the grading labels "Not Achieved". "Achieved", "Merit" and "Excellence", rather than broader understanding of the NCEA system, qualification structure, endorsements, credits, literacy/numeracy requirements, or university entrance requirements.
If any research or advice distinguished between:
(a) parental understanding of NCEA grading terminology, and
(b) parental understanding of the wider NCEA system,
I request copies of that distinction.
I also request any comparative analysis, modelling, polling, or advice regarding whether the proposed A+ to E grading scale would be easier for parents to understand than the current NCEA grading terminology.
If no evidence, research, or advice exists specifically supporting the claim that parents do not understand the current grading terminology, I request confirmation of this.
Yours faithfully,
Laydan Mortensen
From: Enquiries National
Ministry of Education
Thank you for your email to the Ministry of Education.
This is an auto generated response confirming your email has been received.
Please do not respond to this message.
We will respond to your email as soon as possible.
Tēnā koe mō tō īmēra mai ki te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga.
He urupare aunoa tēnei hei whakaatu kua tae mai tō īmēra
ki a mātou. Kaua noa e whakautu i tēnei karere.
Mea ake nei ka urupare tonu atu mātou ki tō īmēra.
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From: Enquiries National
Ministry of Education
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Kia ora Laydan
Thank you for your request for information below. The Ministry will
consider and respond to your request in accordance with the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act).
Under section 15(1) of the Act, we are required to make and inform you of
our decision on your request as soon as reasonably practicable and in any
case not later than 20 working days after the day on which your request is
received. You can therefore expect to receive our decision on your
request on or before the 29 of June 2026. If more than 20 working days
are needed due to the potential workload and/or consultations involved in
answering your request, we will notify you accordingly.
The Ministry may publicly release on our website the response to your
request five days after you have received it. Any personal information
will be removed.
In the interim, if you have any questions about your request, please email
[1][email address].
Ngā mihi
Enquiries National Team | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of
Education | IB
National Office, 1 The Terrace, Wellington
[2]education.govt.nz
He mea tārai e mātou te mātauranga kia rangatira ai, kia mana taurite ai
ōna huanga
We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent
outcomes
[3][IMG]
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From: Enquiries National
Ministry of Education
[IN-CONFIDENCE - RELEASE EXTERNAL]
Tēnā koe Laydan
Please find attached a letter regarding your request under the Official
Information Act.
Nāku noa, nā,
Official and Parliamentary Information | Ministry of Education | AM
[1]education.govt.nz
He mea tārai e mātou te mātauranga kia rangatira ai, kia mana taurite ai
ōna huanga
We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent
outcomes
[2][IMG]
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From: Laydan Mortensen
Kia ora,
I note that this request was transferred to the Minister of Education on 17 June 2026 and that I was advised to expect a response directly from the Minister's Office.
I have not received a response or a notice extending the timeframe. Could you please advise on the status of my request and when I can expect a decision?
Ngā mihi
Laydan Mortensen
From: Enquiries National
Ministry of Education
[IN-CONFIDENCE - RELEASE EXTERNAL]
Kia ora Laydan
Thank you for your email.
Please note we have forwarded your query to the Minister's office as this response was transferred to them on 17 June 2026.
If you have any further queries related to the response GEMS-48450 please contact the Minister's office at [email address]
Ngā mihi nui
Enquiries National Team | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education | MC
education.govt.nz
We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes
He mea tārai e mātou te mātauranga kia rangatira ai, kia mana taurite ai ōna huanga
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From: Laydan Mortensen
Kia ora,
The Ministry of Education has advised me that my Official Information Act
request (reference GEMS-48450) was transferred to the Minister of
Education on 17 June 2026 and that I should direct any queries to the
Minister's Office.
As of today (20 July 2026), I have not received either a decision on my
request or a notice extending the statutory timeframe under the Official
Information Act.
Could you please advise on the current status of my request and when I can
expect a decision?
Yours faithfully,
Laydan Mortensen
From: Laydan Mortensen
---------- Forwarded message
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