A STAR Quality Education

Are you a teacher?  If so, we'd like to hear about your school's STAR Programme.

STAR stands for "Secondary Tertiary Alignment Resource" and this is what the New Zealand Ministry of Education website says about it:

"The Secondary Tertiary Alignment Resource (STAR) provides all state secondary schools with additional funding to access courses that provide greater opportunities for students.  The objective of STAR is to enable schools to better meet the needs of students by personalising learning pathways and facilitating a smooth transition to the workplace or further study".

The amount of funding a  school receives depends on how many year 10,11 and 12 students they have on their roll, but for example, a school with 150 of each will receive in the order of $80 000 per year. 

Schools do not have to report back to the Ministry of Education as to the use of STAR funding, but the website guidebook does provide 'best practice' guidelines and pro forma reporting templates for the use of School Boards of Trustees.  http://www.minedu.govt.nz/NZEducation/EducationPolicies/Schools/Initiatives/STAR.aspx

How is STAR working in your school?  Do you have a view about how STAR funding could or should be used?  Does your school have STAR Programme successes you would like to share?  Do you think STAR funding is being properly used? 

We would love to hear your opinion (and remember you don't have to leave any personal details if you have something contraversial to say)