🔍 Archway-style Collections Search

Establishment

The Education Review Office was established on 1 October 1989 under the provisions of the Education Act 1989 and the State Sector Amendment Act 1989.¹ Its formation was part of the Government’s reforms of the administration of education, sometimes referred to as ‘Tomorrow’s Schools’.

Functions and Responsibilities

The sole purpose of the ERO was to report publicly on the education and care of students in schools and early childhood centres, including private schools, kura kaupapa Maori (Maori language immersion schools), special schools and kohanga reo (Maori language early childhood groups).

Under the Education Act 1989, the Chief Review Officer was authorised to initiate reviews, investigate, inspect, report and publish findings on the provision of education to all young New Zealanders.

ERO carried out different types of reviews - accountability reviews, cluster reviews of education institutions and services, and national evaluations of education issues. It also provided contract evaluation services.

Accountability reviews

In an accountability review the ERO investigated and reported to boards of trustees, early childhood centre managers and the Government on the quality of education provided for students in individual centres and schools. Reviews of schools and centres were scheduled on the basis of prior performance, a current risk appraisal and general review frequency.

Schools were reviewed every three to four years and early childhood centres every four to five years. Reviews were more frequent in particular cases such as low quality performance or major risks to the students and their safety. ERO reports on individual schools and centres were freely available to the public.

Home-school reviews

The ERO reviewed programmes for students exempted from enrolment at a registered school when requested by the Minister or Ministry of Education.

Cluster reviews

From time to time the ERO undertook reviews of education that looked at groups or areas with common features. These included reports on the performance of schools in a defined geographical area, and at particular populations of students, such as boys.

Contract evaluation services

The ERO undertook specific contracts with Crown agencies, such as the Ministry of Education.

Evaluation reports

The ERO published national reports on specific education topics using evidence from its reviews.

Structure

The Education Review Office was headed by a Chief Executive, who was also the Chief Review Officer and was responsible to the Minister. The Chief Executive/Chief Review Officer formally accredited individual Review Officers to carry out reviews in schools and early childhood centres.

ERO was structured into the following groups:

• Review Services;
• Evaluation Services;
• Corporate Services (Public Affairs; Ministerial and Legal; Business Infrastructure).

As at November 2010, Review Officers were located in offices located three geographic regions:

• Northern Region/Te Tai Taki - Auckland, Hamilton;
• Central Region/Te Tai Pokapu - Napier, Wanganui, Wellington;
• Southern Region/Te Tai Tonga – Christchurch, Dunedin.

Te Uepu a-Motu (Maori Review Services), who reviewed kura kaupapa Maori and kohanga reo, was based in the corporate office, and the Moana Pasefika specialist unit was based in the Auckland office.

ERO previously had offices open in Rotorua and Nelson.