Education Review Office (New Zealand)

The Education Review Office (ERO) is the New Zealand government department responsible for evaluating and reporting on the quality of education in schools and early learning services. ERO's primary function is to provide independent assurance to the public and the government about the performance of these institutions.

ERO does this by conducting regular reviews of schools and early learning services. These reviews focus on what is working well for children and students, and where improvements need to be made. The findings of these reviews are published in publicly available reports, which are used by schools, early learning services, the Ministry of Education, and parents to inform planning and decision-making.

ERO's reviews assess aspects such as leadership, teaching and learning, student achievement, governance, and the overall effectiveness of the institution. A key focus is on equity and ensuring that all students, regardless of background or circumstance, have access to a high-quality education.

ERO also has a role in supporting improvement in the education sector. They provide resources and guidance to schools and early learning services, and work collaboratively with them to identify and address areas for development.

The reviews conducted by ERO are guided by Te Ara Huarau, ERO’s evaluation framework. This framework promotes culturally responsive and equitable evaluation practices.

ERO operates independently of the Ministry of Education, ensuring the objectivity and credibility of its findings. The Chief Review Officer leads ERO and is responsible for its overall performance.