An overview of the themes

The following themes can be identified across the initiatives and resources:

• School leaders and teachers need to undertake effective professional learning and development that is designed to enhance their understanding of issues related to engagement and achievement by Māori students and to lift their capability of working effectively with them.
• School leaders and teachers need to have high expectations for achievement by Māori students.
• School leaders and teachers need to engage Māori students actively and meaningfully in all aspects of their learning. (For example, it is particularly important to use the students’ prior knowledge and local or cultural expertise actively in the teaching and learning process.)
• School leaders and teachers need to develop and demonstrate culturally responsive and mutually respectful relationships with Māori students.
• School leaders and teachers need to build, maintain, and use culturally responsive and mutually respectful school-whānau-iwi partnerships.
• School leaders and teachers need to build school leadership that responds positively and culturally to the challenge of realising Māori student engagement and achievement potential.

A school’s first step is to decide whether they need to undertake professional learning and development (through the inquiry process) that focuses on enhancing Māori student engagement and achievement.

To help them do this, they should consider the questions suggested for the first theme.

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