This study is a collaboration between NZCER and the Educational Assessment Research Unit (EARU) of the University of Otago, on contract to the Ministry of Education. The project director is Alison Gilmore, from the University of Otago, and a team of NZCER people are involved, with the project leaders listed above.

It will monitor a nationally representative sample of students in Years 4 and 8 in English-medium schools, using a combination of survey assessments (involving 2000-4000 students) and in-depth assessments (600-800 students). These assessments will cover all learning areas of the New Zealand Curriculum, including key competencies.

The aim is to assess and understand student achievement. It will show what New Zealand students know, think, and can do, what they aspire to, and how they are realizing their goals. It will provide timely information and analyses to the Ministry of Education, the sector and the public on how well the educational system is delivering important educational outcomes.

The new study builds on the strengths of the previous National Education Monitoring Project (NEMP). What makes this study innovative and different from NEMP is that alongside the in-depth assessment tasks, there will be a survey of a greater sample of students and the collection of contextual information to enhance our understanding of student achievement. Specific attention will be given to how Māori and Pasifika students are succeeding in English-medium schools and research will be conducted to better understand achievements among students with special learning needs.

NZCER has begun working in schools with small-scale piloting of items, in preparation for the full trial early in 2012. The initial focus will be science and writing.