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Laydan Mortensen
[FYI request #34828 email]
17 June 2026
Tēnā koe Laydan
OIA: GEMS-48450 – Evidence supporting Minister’s claim that parents do not
understand NCEA grades
Thank you for your email of 1 June 2026 to the Ministry of Education (the Ministry)
requesting the following information:
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.
Wellington – National Office, PO Box 1666, Wellington 6140
Phone: +64 4 463 8000
education.govt.nz
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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.
Your request has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).
We have determined that the information requested is not held by the Ministry but is
believed to be held by, and more closely connected with the functions of, the Minister
of Education.
As such, I have transferred your request to the Minister of Education in
accordance with sections 14(b)(i) and 14(b)(ii) of the Act.
We are extending the 10-working-day time limit available to make this transfer, to 17
June 2026, in accordance with section 15A(1)(b) of the Act, as the consultations
necessary to make a decision on the request were such that a proper response could
not reasonably be made within the original time limit.
You may expect a response from the Minister of Education directly concerning your
request.
Nāku noa, nā
Helen Walton
Senior Advisor, Government, Executive and Ministerial Services
Te Pou Rangatōpū | Corporate
education.govt.nz
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OIA: GEMS-48450
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