Kei tua o te pae: Assessing learning that reaches beyond the self and beyond the horizon

This paper outlines the development and the conceptual design of an assessment for learning resource of 177 exemplars from early childhood contexts. Two metaphors provide the foundation for the resource: te whāriki and kei tua o te pae. These metaphors underpin a discussion about assessment of learner outcomes that reach “beyond the self” and“beyond the horizon”, using the resource as an example. The resource that is built on these two metaphors includes three themes: principles that frame up the assessment;  practices that are based on narrative; and a view of progression that aligns with the principles. The assessment practice exemplified is sited in stories and portfolios, and the paper concludes with an argument for the consequential validity of narrative assessments.