2 research reports on ways to support
NZSL users to access the curriculum
3 improved data collection projects to
Ministry of Education statement on deaf
learners:
… to be successful deaf students will
enhance the Ministry’s use of available
have strengthened identity, language
data and identify data gaps
and achievement outcomes including
gaining NZSL and oral language skills
4 transitions work to support students
early.113
between secondary schooling and
further study or employment.
However, there are important issues that
remain to be addressed if these goals are to
The Ministry has developed a curriculum
for teaching NZSL as a second language
to year 7 and 8 students, as part of the
be realised for deaf students.
Achievement levels
‘learning languages’ strand of the national
There is little New Zealand data about the
curriculum. This includes online teaching
comparative achievement levels of deaf
materials and is called Thumbs Up.
children. However, research in New Zealand
and other countries has identified that many
In 2013, the Ministry recognised the
deaf children leave school with poor levels
specific needs of students whose parents
of achievement and a lower than average
are deaf NZSL users. The Ministry now
written language literacy age.114 Average
funds NZSL interpreters for deaf parents
achievement for severe and profoundly deaf
to contribute to and participate in their
children has been described as “significantly
children’s core educational activities. This
lower than the national average at all
was an important step given the vital role
ages”.115
parents play in their children’s education.
At the same time, deaf people are reported
2.4.2 What is needed
to have levels of intelligence that are
As outlined above, a number of initiatives
This suggests that other factors impact on
have been implemented to progress
lower achievement rates for deaf students,
deaf education in NZ since the 1990s.
including the level of support and resources
The Commission strongly supports the
available to meet deaf children’s learning
Government’s focus on making schools
needs.117
close to the mean for hearing people.116
more inclusive and on lifting achievement
levels of all students, including those who
Disadvantage in education begins with
are deaf. It also supports the following
linguistic delay in early childhood and is
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