Are standards being relaxed?

A recent TEU survey of 1,000 members from across the tertiary sector asked whether “pressure to pass a higher percentage of students in New Zealand tertiary educations institutes has worsened over the last debate”. What’s the story?

The TEU's recent well-being survey, Education under Pressure, aimed to document the experiences of those who work in the sector compared with a decade ago. In their release, the TEU blamed decreased staff wellbeing on reforms introduced by the National government. 

Media focused on whether the question whether “pressure to pass a higher percentage of students in New Zealand tertiary educations institutes has worsened over the last debate.”

71% of the academic and other staff union members from across the wider tertiary sector (ie polytechnics and institutes of technology, wanaga, private training organisations and universities) thought it had “worsened over the last decade”, 33% though it was “much worse”.

Percentages for the university sector were lower. Around 600 of over 20,000 university staff participated.  57% thought it had “worsened over the last decade”, and 18% thought it was “much worse”, nearly half that of other tertiary institutes.

Media asked whether universities were relaxing standards for either entering university or passing courses.

The answer is that entry standards are rising.  Universities worked with NZQA to increase the UE standard, which came into effect three years ago. Many universities have additional entry standards on top of this.

While grade point averages are rising there has been little change in pass rates. A decade ago at the University of Auckland, just over a third of domestic students entering from school had grade point averages of more than five, but today this has risen to 55%.

Professor Stuart McCutcheon, Chair of Universities New Zealand, told Radio New Zealand, “It doesn't make sense that universities would raise entry standards and then tell staff to let everybody through.”

Universities are however concerned about student retention. Some students, particularly from rural or low decile schools, are less prepared for university study as they might be, often including Māori and Pasifika students. While universities put a lot of effort into supporting students, they do not lower standards to enable students to succeed.

Making a complaint

All eight universities all have robust regulations, policies and processes in place for staff and students to raise issues.  This can be done through schools or departments or directly to independent roles such as the Proctor. Staff have the option of being supported by unions or others.

In addition, university staff have external options to raise or escalate issues – including through Universities New Zealand and the Ombudsman. The Tertiary Education Commission, which provides and monitors funding, has also set up a contact point for complaints. Non-university staff can contact NZQA.

Another option is through the “whistleblower” (Protected Disclosures) legislation. Universities have processes in place to protect and support whistleblowers.

At the system level, the pan-university quality assurance process ensures the quality of new and amended programmes including assessment practices. And through AQA, each university is also subject to regular, independent quality assurance audits of academic practices. 

An Overview of the assessment system and internal and external complaints options, is on our website.

Universities take seriously their role in providing high quality education that improves the lives of graduates and their families.  They also appreciate their important role in developing New Zealand’s future thinkers and leaders, employers and employees, parents and citizens, and in addressing the important issues we face.  

Perhaps the best measure of universities commitment to quality is by looking at their reputation.  All New Zealand universities are ranked within the top 3% (500) universities in the world.  They are also placed in the top 50 universities in 22 different subjects, and in the top 100 in 39 (out of a possible 46) subjects. They achieve good results for graduates, with 98% employment rates, high completion rates and low rates of underemployment.

Where to from here? 

Universities New Zealand is talking with the TEU about the survey findings.  And we’re encouraging those with concerns to come forward so we can get beyond anecdotes to get a better picture and understanding of the issues being raised.