Written by Dr Craig Hansen, New Zealand’s leading AI educator, digital specialist, and founder of the Summit Institute.
More than 1,000 schools across New Zealand trust Craig and the Summit Institute—a New Zealand private training provider—to navigate safe and responsible AI in schools, professional development, and strategic roadmaps. As we enter the next phase of this global shift, we must address the ultimate paradigm: “AI is the biggest equity move we can make in our generation.”
Curriculum Moderation and Assessment Practices
Craig Hansen discussed the importance of dependable decision-making and moderation in assessment, particularly in light of the refreshed curriculum with new progress descriptors. He emphasised the need to move from marking individual pieces of work to evaluating a body of evidence to ensure consistent and accurate student progress assessment across different classrooms and year groups. Craig outlined four key steps for effective moderation and mentioned that a graphic summarising these steps would be shared via Google Drive for further reference.
Student Assessment Rubric Implementation
Craig explained the Ministry’s reading, writing, and maths rubrics require triangulating evidence through standardised testing and day-to-day classroom activities. Craig described how school leaders should guide conversations toward evaluating a student’s ability to apply knowledge independently rather than focusing solely on grade placement. The discussion covered the concept of gradually releasing responsibility from teacher-led to student-independent work, with examples of different levels of learner behaviour and support needed.
Moderation Process Standardization Proposal
Craig emphasised the importance of examining the moderation process to ensure validity across different classrooms. They explained that outcomes are not equal when students receive different levels of scaffolding and support during their work. Craig proposed a rule for moderation sessions where teachers must explain the context and scaffolds used before evaluating student work to ensure consistency in assessing independence across classrooms.
Curriculum Moderation Rubric Guidelines
Craig emphasised the importance of using rubrics and curriculum guidelines to anchor moderation conversations, rather than relying on subjective opinions or personal knowledge of students. They discussed examining writing skills, composition purpose, sentence structure, and the writing process while referring to ministry-provided progress markers and rubrics to ensure consistent assessment. Craig also recommended that school leaders build and utilise a benchmark library of exemplars to support moderation processes.
Library of Exemplars Strategy Discussion
Craig discussed strategies for building a library of exemplars to help teachers calibrate their judgements against rubrics. They recommended selecting one clear example for each descriptor and 2–3 boundary rider examples that are unclear whether they represent emerging, developing, or consolidating levels. Craig emphasised keeping the process safe by avoiding cognitive overload by not requiring teachers to bring entire class rolls of work, and instead focusing on targeted samples with clear and boundary examples.
Teacher Assessment Discussion Framework
Craig discussed the importance of creating a safe environment for teachers to have open discussions about student assessments, particularly for borderline cases where disagreements can lead to professional learning opportunities. They emphasised focusing on the quality and integrity of student work while building a robust assessment culture that provides transparent and trustworthy narratives to families about their children’s learning journey. Craig outlined specific guidance for teachers including using rubrics, progress markers, and progress descriptors for moderation, while ensuring all decisions are anchored back to the curriculum.
Files shared in this video:
The guiding graphic is here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q-ROIS_5CxhiCu7Lu4GDVIen6nldOowq/view?usp=sharing
The writing rubric is here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qByUawquDYvcYIHS8WHGos-_C67tedNo/view?usp=sharing
Progress Markers https://drive.google.com/file/d/13k6b1nLWpDYLQTanpt8XgtVImy3cnZWU/view?usp=sharing
Progress Descriptors https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MVBngLhyaWSRnmItc2MFOJyGaqqrzYVG/view?usp=sharing
Using the Rubrics (page 6!)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PVZl3qdhxMXS3wUZXUpVnTK_WXEG2VJq/view
The New Zealand Curriculum English Years 0–10 October 2025 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b-pVL2RzAOSglG1-uJeMs1IFJQFgRvUO/view?usp=sharing
To avoid systemic irrelevance, the first action for school boards and intermediate, secondary, and tertiary principals is to remove blanket bans. Banning a tool that is now ubiquitous only hides student usage while depriving them of prompt literacy and critical thinking. Craig argues that we must position AI as an assistant, not a replacement. Re-framing these environments allows Kiwi teachers and school leaders to navigate assessment workloads, lesson planning, and bicultural alignment efficiently, without compromising academic rigor.
💬 What New Zealand Educators Are Saying:
“AI has significantly improved my workflow by helping me plan lessons quickly, provide targeted feedback using e-asTTle rubrics, and create culturally responsive content. It saves time, allowing me to focus on active student interaction.”
— Primary School Digital Tech Lead, Auckland
Responsible AI Governance & Implementation
Developing a robust school AI policy that is safe, responsible, and culturally responsive is the cornerstone of strategy. Leaders in Aotearoa New Zealand must align school policy to support digital fluency, ensure data privacy, and protect critical assessment integrity under the NCEA. By integrating localized legislation directly into our curriculum and Te Mātaiaho framework maps, schools can build an environment that fosters innovative, self-directed learning.
For deep, step-by-step guidance, explore our complete list of educational strategies and workshops on our official YouTube Channel Masterclass.
