Focused PLD for 2012

"The redesigned PLD aims to lift achievement for all learners, most especially for those groups – Māori, Pasifika, learners with special education needs, and learners from low socio-economic backgrounds – that aren't currently well served in our system.

"This means that the critical task for principals, tumuaki and leaders is to identify which learners aren't achieving well, and then identify what PLD will best equip teachers to support those learners."

Joanne McEachen, National Manager, Student Achievement Function
Ministry of Education, January 2012

The Government invests $80 million a year on PLD services to be spent on the programmes and providers that will make the biggest difference in individual kura and schools, and across the whole system. In 2011, the Ministry of Education redesigned the allocation of PLD to be targeted and focused on lifting learner achievement.

This new system is to be fully operational in 2012, and this means changes to the way PLD for kaiako and teachers will be accessed.

PLD is an integral part of a school's planning and reporting cycle. This cycle, which culminates with the submitting of annual charter updates, identifies groups of learners schools want to target to improve learner outcomes. One way of improving these outcomes is to provide PLD which is based on evidence-based need.

For further information on the process of assessing need, requesting PLD and allocation of support, see How to receive PLD for 2012.

What will the PLD look like?

Depending on requirements, kura or school may get PLD targeted at the teachers of specific groups of learners, or particular areas of the kura or school, such as a junior syndicate. There may be all-of-school PLD, and, if the needs are the same, kura or schools in the region can combine for PLD. A key goal of the redesign is to enable this flexibility, and to encourage 'clusters' of learning and development across kura and schools.

There may get PLD from a new provider – the Ministry has opened up the field to a much more diverse range of providers, particularly iwi. It has also established clear requirements for the content. The new PLD contracts will cover similar, and in some cases extended content areas. There are also some significant changes.

Identity, language and culture

All PLD providers must recognise and reinforce the central role that identity, language and culture play in learning. Research shows that this is an essential platform for lifting achievement for all learners, especially Māori, Pasifika, learners with special education needs, and learners from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Achievement standards

PLD available to secondary schools in 2012 will include support for implementing the newly-aligned NCEA achievement standards. See: Senior Secondary PLD.

eLearning

eLearning has become an important vehicle for education. All PLD in 2012 will include a strong emphasis on eLearning, both in the content of the PLD itself, and the way the PLD is delivered.

Resources to support planning and reporting