Understand, know, do framework gone from curriculum

The understand, know, do framework has been “updated” into “knowledge” and “practice” areas in the New Zealand Curriculum.  

The change was made for the refreshed Maths and English curriculums that were uploaded to the Tāhūrangi – New Zealand Curriculum site last week. These curriculums will be mandatory for state schools from Term 1, 2026.  

Read the latest print edition of School News online HERE.

In accompanying documents, the Ministry of Education said: “following extensive work on knowledge-rich curriculum design, we have updated the Understand, Know, Do structure for all New Zealand Curriculum learning areas.  

“In previous versions of the draft learning areas, the Understand, Know and Do components had been woven together within the Progress Outcomes. In this version, the concepts of understanding, knowledge and practice are strengthened, while the terms Understand, Know and Do are no longer explicitly referred to in the curriculum.”  

Related School News article: The recolonisation of Aotearoa New Zealand’s curriculum

Maths teachers raise concerns  

Maths teachers on public forums have flagged significant changes in the final Maths curriculum. Several noted that the content was different from the draft, and those who had ordered Ministry approved structured maths resources would find their materials were already out of date.  

Professor Jodie Hunter, co-chair of the NZCER board, and respected maths education academic affiliated with the Aotearoa Educators’ Collective, wrote in a public forum the new maths curriculum “is so bad, it’s insane. 

“It has Year 9 expectations brought into Year 6 [and there is] way too much content.” 

Sector urges pause on changes  

The latest change to the NZC and the associated sector response comes just days after 650 principals from NZEI Te Riu Roa signed an open letter asking for a pause on the rollout. The letter is endorsed by the New Zealand Principals’ Federation, representing 2000 principals, and Te Akatea, the kaupapa Māori tumuaki national body. The letter was delivered to parliament on Friday 17 October.  

Concerns expressed by signatories included lack of consultation and limited clarity. The letter calls for Minister of Education Erica Stanford to prioritise collaboration with the sector, including Māori, and to include experts in codesigning future curriculum changes.  

Stephen Lethbridge, an Auckland principal, said “changes to schools and curricula can be a force for good, but changes can only be successful when there has been engagement and good faith conversation with school leaders and teachers.”  

Related School News article: Curriculum rewrites lack clear frameworks and definitions.