Charter school reports show sharp divide in attendance and achievement

New data from the first charter schools established under the current Government shows attendance rates as low as 28% in some cases, while others are already exceeding achievement targets.

The seven schools which opened in term one last year, are required to publicly report against set targets for attendance and learning.

The targets include 95% of school leavers reaching NCEA Level 2 or above, 80% of students meeting curriculum expectations, and 80% regular attendance, with targets adjusted for Equity Index (EQI) groups based on socio-economic barriers to achievement.

The schools were required to self-publish annual reports by the end of May. Three of the seven failed to meet one or more of the standardised targets.

Associate Education Minister David Seymour said the reports show progress is already being made, particularly in schools designed for students facing significant barriers to education.

“This is a level of accountability you’d never see for state schools, and the results show most of the schools smashing their targets,” he said.

“Those that are short have started in some cases with students who weren’t attending at all, now attending fairly regularly and improving all the time.”

At the lower end, Christchurch North College reported 28% regular attendance in term one, alongside 38% of students meeting expected maths levels. Chronic absence also rose to 30% in term four. However, Year 11 attendance reached 100%, which the school says demonstrates better self-management closer to NCEA.

The Auckland-based BUSY School New Zealand also recorded low attendance, averaging 36.75%, but said students who remained engaged achieved strong pass rates. The school is designed for students who have struggled in mainstream education.

In contrast, North West College in Auckland reported strong academic performance, with all Year 8 students meeting curriculum expectations in reading, writing and maths. Attendance averaged 67% across the year, above its target of 60%.

Māori-Pasifika boys’ boarding school TIPENE recorded some of the strongest gains, with reading rising from 37% in February to just below the 80% target by November, at 79%. Attendance averaged 89%.

French school École Française Internationale Auckland met or exceeded all targets, with 84% attendance and strong results in its English-taught curriculum. French language achievement sat at around 50%.

Mastery Schools New Zealand recorded 90% attendance and more than “one year” improvement in English and Maths, without providing a percentage figure - but didn’t meet its achievement threshold. The Christchurch-based school is focused on students disengaged or at risk of disengaging.

Northland Māori-immersion charter school Te Rito Te Kura Taiao lifted attendance from 46.5% to 75.8%. However, Seymour said it still did not meet its performance threshold for achievement, despite improvements.

“The school was specifically set up to work with young people disengaged or at risk of disengaging from education.

They have had a strong first year, but we don’t apologise for setting the bar high,” he said.

Seymour said charter schools face greater scrutiny in exchange for greater autonomy over funding.

“Public reporting builds trust and ensures schools remain focused on delivering improved outcomes for learners. Parents, communities and taxpayers deserve to know how these schools are performing.”

He said minimum standards are set according to each school’s Equity Index, which is reviewed annually and may change as schools grow.

“If a school is not making meaningful progress, the Authorisation Board will step in. Initially this may involve requiring a plan to improve attendance or achievement. If progress is not made, the Board can end the school’s contract.”

Seymour said the system is working “extremely” well overall, and the reports are a good step towards building trust.

“Even the people who want to be grumpy about charter schools need to acknowledge these results.”

“Schools are smashing their targets and the few that aren’t... often with students that were completely lost, now being found and making greater progress than many of them could ever imagined in the state school system.”

Jaime Cunningham is a Christchurch-based reporter with a focus on education, social issues and general news. She joined Newstalk ZB in 2023 after working as a sports reporter at the Christchurch Star.