Teachers criticise maths test

Mathematics teachers across the country say they ‘‘no longer have confidence’’ in national assessors after a recent examination left some students in tears.

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has agreed to ‘‘engage with’’ 118 teachers who penned an open letter expressing concern a 2016 review of errors in multiple maths exams had failed to effect change.

Many students and parents were upset by this year’s NCEA level 1 maths exam, which the teachers’ letter said included questions from higher curriculum levels.

There were also too many questions, they said. Students had to complete one page every five minutes to finish the exam.

NZQA deputy chief executive Kristine Kilkelly initially said she was ‘‘confident in the quality of the level 1 mathematics examination’’.

However, the letter writers said their discontent showed otherwise.

‘‘If large numbers of teachers from all around New Zealand feel that the examination did not meet the standard then there is clearly miscommunication between NZQA and teachers about what the standard is supposed to contain.’’

Maths exams should not ‘‘detrimentally erode students’ confidence’’ in their abilities, and November’s level 1 exam made students beginning NCEA study feel ‘‘less capable than they are’’.

Kilkelly said NZQA appreciated ‘‘the time teachers have taken to contribute to the letter’’ but would not comment further while exam marking was still under way.

‘‘We do want to engage with teachers on the issues they have raised following completion of the examination cycle, and we are always keen to do this.’’