In Terms 2 and 3, 2006, the Education Review Office (ERO) conducted an evaluation of the quality of sexuality education programmes in Years 7 to 13 in 100 primary (full primary and intermediate) and secondary schools. Sexuality education is one of seven key areas of learning in Health and Physical Education in the New Zealand Curriculum. The curriculum is compulsory up to and including Year 10.
This evaluation has found that the majority of sexuality education programmes were not meeting students’ learning needs effectively. The findings identify two areas of particular weakness across schools. These are assessing learning in sexuality education and meeting the needs of diverse groups of students. Around two thirds of schools in this evaluation needed to improve their performance significantly in these areas.
ERO found good examples of how schools, parents, students and community agencies have worked together to identify and respond to student needs in sexuality education. In these schools governance and management supported community consultation and development of sexuality education programmes; resources, planning and content were relevant; teachers and students had a strong rapport and support networks were actively promoted; the schools were respectful to all students; and, the schools were safe for all students. (from the Executive summary). The companion "good practice" report (#4863) is no longer available online. Record #4862