School reports, explained

From 2026, primary and intermediate schools across New Zealand describe children's progress in reading, writing and maths in one shared way, and report to parents in writing at least twice a year.^[1][2]

The idea is simple. Wherever your child goes to school, the words on the report should mean the same thing.

The five levels

Each of reading, writing and maths gets one of five levels, describing how your child is going against what the curriculum expects for their year.^[3]

At the end of the year, Proficient or Exceeding means your child has met the curriculum's expectations.^[2] Earlier in the year, a lower level is normal, because the year's learning isn't finished yet.

Some schools have warned parents that levels may look lower than on older reports. The new expectations are more specific, and in places higher. A change of wording isn't a change in your child.

What else is on the report

• A short comment on why the teacher chose each level.^[1]
• A picture of progress over time, so you can see movement, not just a single result.^[1]
• Attendance.^[1]

The twice-yearly checks

Children in Years 3 to 8 are now assessed in reading, writing and maths twice a year, using one of a small set of approved tools.^[3] The teacher uses those results, along with classwork and what they've seen day to day, to choose the level.^[1]

These aren't exams to cram for. The best preparation is steady practice through the year, so the check shows what your child can really do.

Questions to ask the teacher

• What's one thing my child does well in maths? In reading?
• What's the next step, and how can we help with it at home?
• Is there anything from earlier years that still needs work?

Study Compass's parent view answers the same three questions every week: what's going well, what needs more practice, and what's next.