Performance Indicators for New Zealand Schools: The Problems and the Potential

In recent years, there have been increasing demands, particularly from governments, for better information about the performance of schools. Performance indicators have been identified and adopted in many countries as a potential solution to the challenge of providing information which demonstrates the efficiency and effectiveness of schools and other education institutions. This article examines the notion of performance indicators, discusses their benefits and limitations, and identifies the characteristics of effective indicator systems. It describes and critically appraises the information and measurement systems that are currently used to assess the performance of New Zealand schools. Finally it considers whether indicators could be utilised more effectively not only to measure, but also to improve the performance of New Zealand schools.