A 2009 MOE report released under the OIA tells the minister that National Standards will “improve [MOE] ability to compare performance across primary and intermediate schools.”  The ministry already uses “National Qualification statistics to monitor secondary schools performance.”

The report goes on to detail possible interventions for schools with low achievement.  These range from voluntary school improvement initiatives, to statutory managers or even school closure.  The ministry plans to expand its use of statutory interventions, rather than saving them as a last resort.

The report asks the minister to “direct the ministry to develop a coherent intervention framework for schools, for an environment where student achievement information will be used to decide which schools warrant intervention.”

Incentives for high-performing schools included roll growth with associated funding gains, and longer ERO review cycles for successful schools.