Budget 2017: Vote Education initiatives Damian Edwards Associate Deputy Secretary

Context – maximising return on investment “It is crucially important that those delivering core public services maintain a constant focus on lifting the productivity of their sectors. These are big funding increases, which reflect the needs of a growing country. However it is my expectation that we also achieve a greater return for each additional dollar of taxpayers' money. As well as placing a number of requirements on results for the increased expenditure, I am today announcing that the Government is asking the Productivity Commission to conduct an investigation into measuring and improving the productivity of core public services – to ensure all New Zealanders see better results from the investment of their tax monies in these services.” Hon Steven Joyce (Minister of Finance) Hansard 25th May 2017

Vote Education initiatives for Early Learning Over the next four years: $350.5 million in operating funding for growth $35.5 million in targeted funding for children at risk of underachievement due to disadvantage $34.7 million to expand behaviour services $4.2 million on extending the Incredible Years Programme $6.0 million in targeted support to improve oral language development

Funding to support growing participation An additional $74.3m in 2016/17, and $350.5m over the next four years An additional 31.7 million hours of early learning over the next four years Forecasted expenditure ($thousands)

Targeted Adjustment $35.5 million over four years for services with children at greater risk of educational underachievement due to disadvantage 33,000 children from disadvantaged backgrounds $10 million per year of additional funding, $35.5 million over four years Approximately 2,000 (40%) services On average services will receive $5,000 per year Enable services to invest in quality and maintain affordability Funding will start in January 2018, with first payment in March Attendance data collected through ELI will be used as part of the funding calculation

Percentage of service type that gain funding

Ensuring the effectiveness of targeted funding Before additional investment can be made, we need to ensure funding is being used effectively and has a tangible impact on children’s lives Evaluation To do this, we plan to evaluate the impact of this initiative and explore how the Ministry can further assist services to reduce educational disparities in New Zealand Accountability and reporting This initiative will adopt the existing reporting and accountability requirements in place for Equity funding The Ministry will, however, clarify the required reporting standards, and ensure the information submitted by services is used effectively

Expanding Behaviour Services $34.7 million over four years to expand early intervention and severe behaviour services An additional 1,000 children aged 0-8 years each year Including 75 children aged 0-2 years each year Provide specialist behaviour services for children with severe behaviour difficulties Start in one or two regions from July 2017

Expanding Incredible Years programmes $4.2 million over four years for expanding the Incredible Years Programmes (IYP) Extended to parents and teachers of children aged 2-5 years on the autism spectrum In the first year, an additional 300 parents and 150 teachers will participate Increasing to 525 parents and 300 teachers per year

Oral Language $6.0 million over four years for children at risk of literacy difficulties Targeted to 3-4 year olds in low socio-economic communities Approximately 1,900 children with oral language needs each year An additional 38,000 children through improvements to teaching each year 10 speech-language therapists will train teachers to recognise oral language issues and use teaching practices to respond Around 480 teachers and 240 services each year