The paper that Anne Tolley censored

Written By: - Date published: 10:04 am, June 30th, 2010 - 38 comments
Categories: education, national - Tags: ,

Anne Tolley can’t stand to hear any criticism of National Standards, and she doesn’t want you to hear it either. Audrey Young reports:

Education Minister Anne Tolley is to complain to the Speaker Lockwood Smith over a Parliamentary Library research paper on national standards in primary schools. Mrs Tolley said the paper was “unprofessional”, “highly political” and so biased it could have been written by the union opposing the policy. Mrs Tolley wants the paper withdrawn and rewritten.

Library researchers frequently produce papers on topics of the day, on the economy and legislation before the House. They are displayed in the library, in the Beehive cafeteria and some are available on Parliament’s website. The paper on national standards says:

*”Schools may not have time and sufficient professional development support to become familiar with the national standards.”

*”Students assessed as not achieving could lose motivation for learning, affecting their achievement.”

*”Schools and teachers will need professional development assistance and support that may not be adequately provided for under the standards.”

*”The standards have been designed and implemented in a short time frame that has not allowed a trial to determine whether they have been set at the correct level.”

*”[League table information] does not help parents make an informed choice on what is a good school to send their child [to] and ends up unfairly labelling some schools.”

Tolley has done more than complain and call for the paper to be rewritten to suit her ideological blindness. She has had the current paper withdrawn from the Parliamentary web site. It was there on 26 June (thanks Google):

It isn’t there now:

Although removed from the front page (and from the direct link that dpf provided), the paper still exists deep in the bowels of the Parliamentary web site, and of course Google has a copy. So go read for yourself the paper that Anne Tolley doesn’t want us to see.

[Update: The remaining pdf copy on the Parliamentary web site linked just above has now been pulled as well – but here’s our copy.]

38 comments on “The paper that Anne Tolley censored ”

  1. Pete 1

    The paper actually looks very moderate – the conclusion certainly frames it up neutrally with a caveat around issues with implementation – perfectly adequate I’d suggest.

    How can Tolley get away with this? (I’m not being emotive, simply asking how it’s possible).

    Good opportunity for education spokespeople to ask more questions.

  2. American Gardener 2

    Speculation at Kiwiblog that the paper was written by an ex The Standard author ?

    • Bright Red 2.1

      you can see the author’s name on the paper http://www.parliament.nz/NR/rdonlyres/6AA160CB-02AD-4A89-ADC9-64B928B45FFA/144400/NationalStandardsforpdf3.pdf

      that’s not SP.

      And the validity of anaylsis is not dependent on the politics of the person making it. Arguments stand on their own. That’s why your real name and mine don’t matter.

      • Arguments stand on their own. That’s why your real name and mine don’t matter.

        Except on election advertising. Where we should also disclose our home address and religion.

        • Ari 2.1.1.1

          Electioneering almost never involves an actual argument.

          • Graeme Edgeler 2.1.1.1.1

            true dat. Not exactly the Federalist Papers.

            The closest I can remember us getting in the last quite some while were John Boscawen’s text-heavy ads against the EFB (i.e. not the Kill the Bill billboards, with which he wasn’t involved) and the Exclusive Brethren’s anti-Green campaign. It was almost refreshing to see policy-based discussion in political advertising that avoided broad platitudes and personal attacks.

            • Bright Red 2.1.1.1.1.1

              remember his one that started “answer my questions, Prime Minister!”?

              Started off crazy and ranted on for about 500 words. Hilarious.

      • joe bloggs 2.1.2

        @ Bright Red
        … the validity of anaylsis[sic] is not dependent on the politics of the person making it.

        what a crock of shit! You’ve clearly never heard of Observer Bias.

        Here’s a primer for you:

        Observer Bias is the error introduced into measurement when observers overemphasize behavior they expect to find and fail to notice behavior they do not expect. Observer bias can also be introduced because researchers see a behavior and interpret it according to what it means to them.

        • Bright Red 2.1.2.1

          yes, and if an argument is invalid due to observer bias ot for whatver other reason than you can make that point. It still doesn’t matter who the observer personally is.

          • joe bloggs 2.1.2.1.1

            unless the observer/analyst has their own axe to grind in which case the observations/analyses are biased – thereby compromising the integrity of the paper

            • BLiP 2.1.2.1.1.1

              Most likely, in this case, the observer/analyst simply reported back facts available from even a cursory glance at the Nationalâ„¢ Standards. As Ed Murrow was fond of saying:

              The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer.

              . . . especially when elected representatives start censoring library documents.

            • Bright Red 2.1.2.1.1.2

              joe. if the arguments are flawed becuase of that or any other reason you can dispute the arguments. but you can’t assume an argument is flawed because of who made it.

              • Bunji

                And you certainly can’t dispute whether or not an argument is flawed if it’s censored…

        • Craig Glen Eden 2.1.2.2

          The Key words are ” is not dependent” some might be biased might not to! But in this situation what is the political bias by the writer, are they saying something that is known to be untrue or is Tolley showing her own bias by not being prepared to deal with the real issues ( which are not behavior) and therefore is accusing others of what she is guilty of.

        • Puddleglum 2.1.2.3

          I’ve heard of observer bias. It’s a special case of the well known idea of subjectivity.

          That’s why science (and all intellectual endeavour) isn’t something that’s done by a single person. It’s done by a ‘scientific community’. Popper was on to it: He argued that science doesn’t fundamentally depend upon the honesty, intelligence, curiosity, etc. of individual scientists; it depends upon the collective institutions of science (peer reviewed journals, norms for citing evidence and sources, universities free of external coercion or pressure, conferences for scientists to mingle and debate, etc.).

          What Tolley has done by complaining about the report is to attack the very process by which ‘objective’ understanding is produced – which is through the collective efforts of many people, each, potentially, with their own shortcomings, biases, etc..

          It’s odd how so many people who sing the virtues of an economic free market, get really peeved by a ‘free market’ of ideas and thought and instinctively want to suppress it.

  3. ianmac 3

    Seems like a workmanlike document to me. Read most of it via Google -thanks Rob.
    It does seem very strange that a Minister can order this removal?????
    Like most censorship it only adds fuel to the fire. Should lead to Questions in the House. And freely published through Audrey and thanks to Rob.

  4. Tiger Mountain 4

    National ‘standards’ are going to be a classic backside biter for National over time. This is a moderate document indeed. Tolley’s bias and paranoia exposed again it seems. She will not accept that teachers unions are legitimate members of NZ society, a hell of a lot of effort was put into developing new curricula over 9 years and many teachers are not going to let that go quietly.

    • ianmac 4.1

      Mind you teachers are a pretty modest/amiable lot. Most just seem to want to get on with the job and get frustrated when called to carry out endless pointless assessments. If they as a group get militant and angry about National Standards, you can be sure that there is substance to their concerns, and that is mostly concern for the kids.

  5. American Gardener 5

    So does Charlotte Oakley have any political affiliations as Kiwiblog is implying she does ?

    • Bright Red 5.1

      how about you get some evidence before slandering someone’s professionalism?

      • joe bloggs 5.1.1

        There’s no imputation of moral turpitude or unfitness or want of integrity in AG’s question – it’s a frickin’ question not a statement Red

  6. coolas 6

    In 1995 I worked with Anne Tolley in a winery kitchen. She was chopping vegetables for $10/hr. I remember her saying she was considering moving her ‘historic’ B&B to Taupo because of restrictions imposed by Napier City Council.

    She has achieved a remarkable re-creation. But the tummy shrink, face tuck, and designer outfits can’t disguise her ignorance and void of experience.

    ps. I had no complaints with her chopping abilities.

  7. I had no complaints with her chopping abilities

    And she continues to chop to this day – early childhood education or night schools anyone CHOP!

  8. WOOF 8

    There’s no point in Tolly howling and bristling over that very good factual report.

    • Jim MacDonald 8.1

      Let’s not pussyfoot around this and let’s call for the Minister to be put back firmly in the trolley and be re-educated on democratic and Open Government standards.

  9. toad 9

    The Parliamentary Library has pulled the pdf as well now.

  10. I dreamed a dream 10

    What’s going on? Is the Parliamentary Library now the National Party Library & Research Unit?

    • toad 10.1

      This is totally bizarre. The Parliamentary Library have no accountability whatsoever to Ministers of the Crown. So what are they doing removing material because a Minister has complained about it.

      Unfortunately, they don’t come under the OIA either, so may be difficult to find out what happened and why.

      • swimmer 10.1.1

        Censoring information, that’s seriously bad. She obviously feels threatened, with good reason since NAT STDS are stupid.

  11. BLiP 11

    Hopefully some helpful politician will table the document. : )

  12. exbrethren 12

    Maybe the Nats can change Guy Fawkes this year and just chuck some books on the bonfires.

  13. exbrethren 13

    Herald still have the .pdf available media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/document/pdf/standards.pdf

  14. Uncle Helen 14

    [Take your personal attacks elsewhere fool — r0b]

  15. Carol 15

    A Labour MP mentioned & criticised the censorship of this paper, in the House, in the last hour or so – Grant Robertson, I think.

    • toad 15.1

      Yep, I’m still wondering why the Parliamentary Library succumbed to Tolley’s bullying.

      They are meant to be completely independent of Ministerial control.

      Sure, the last couple of paragraphs in the Summary may have been better if prefaced with “Critics of the policy say…”, but as someone who works as a policy analyst, I think it is an otherwise very competent research exercise.

      Tolley’s objection to it confirms her as THE MOST INCOMPETENT Minister in this Government. It will be interesting to see how long John Key tolerates her bumbling and bullying – he has already removed her from the Tertiary Education portfolio because she couldn’t cut the mustard..

  16. ianmac 16

    I can access the Audrey column via Rob’s page here. No problem. When I went look for it on the Herald On-line (as opposed through your link) I couldn’t find it. Funny? Either I looked in the wrong place or it has been “hidden”???
    Looked in News, Politics, and Opinion.

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    First QuestionYou’re going to crack down on people ram-raiding dairies, because you say hard-working dairy owners shouldn’t have to worry about getting ram-raided.But once the chemist shops have pseudoephedrine in them again, they're going to get ram-raided all the time. Do chemists not work as hard as dairy owners?Second QuestionYou ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Questions a nine year old might ask the new Prime Minister
    First QuestionYou’re going to crack down on people ram-raiding dairies, because you say hard-working dairy owners shouldn’t have to worry about getting ram-raided.But once the chemist shops have pseudoephedrine in them again, they're going to get ram-raided all the time. Do chemists not work as hard as dairy owners?Second QuestionYou ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Finally
    Henry Kissinger is finally dead. Good fucking riddance. While Americans loved him, he was a war criminal, responsible for most of the atrocities of the final quarter of the twentieth century. Cambodia. Bangladesh. Chile. East Timor. All Kissinger. Because of these crimes, Americans revere him as a "statesman" (which says ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Government in a hurry – Luxon lists 49 priorities in 100-day plan while Peters pledges to strength...
    Buzz from the Beehive Yes, ministers in the new government are delivering speeches and releasing press statements. But the message on the government’s official website was the same as it has been for the past several days, when Point of Order went looking for news from the Beehive that had ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • DAVID FARRAR: Luxon is absolutely right
    David Farrar writes  –  1 News reports: Christopher Luxon says he was told by some Kiwis on the campaign trail they “didn’t know” the difference between Waka Kotahi, Te Pūkenga and Te Whatu Ora. Speaking to Breakfast, the incoming prime minister said having English first on government agencies will “make sure” ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Top 10 at 10 am for Thursday, Nov 30
    There are fears that mooted changes to building consent liability could end up driving the building industry into an uninsured hole. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere as of 10 am on Thursday, November 30, including:The new Government’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on how climate change threatens cricket‘s future
    Well that didn’t last long, did it? Mere days after taking on what he called the “awesome responsibility” of being Prime Minister, M Christopher Luxon has started blaming everyone else, and complaining that he has inherited “economic vandalism on an unprecedented scale” – which is how most of us are ...
    6 days ago
  • We need to talk about Tory.
    The first I knew of the news about Tory Whanau was when a tweet came up in my feed.The sort of tweet that makes you question humanity, or at least why you bother with Twitter. Which is increasingly a cesspit of vile inhabitants who lurk spreading negativity, hate, and every ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Dangling Transport Solutions
    Cable Cars, Gondolas, Ropeways and Aerial Trams are all names for essentially the same technology and the world’s biggest maker of them are here to sell them as an public transport solution. Stuff reports: Austrian cable car company Doppelmayr has launched its case for adding aerial cable cars to New ...
    6 days ago
  • November AMA
    Hi,It’s been awhile since I’ve done an Ask-Me-Anything on here, so today’s the day. Ask anything you like in the comments section, and I’ll be checking in today and tomorrow to answer.Leave a commentNext week I’ll be giving away a bunch of these Mister Organ blu-rays for readers in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • National’s early moves adding to cost of living pressure
    The cost of living grind continues, and the economic and inflation honeymoon is over before it began. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: PM Christopher Luxon unveiled his 100 day plan yesterday with an avowed focus of reducing cost-of-living pressures, but his Government’s initial moves and promises are actually elevating ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Backwards to the future
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has confirmed that it will be back to the future on planning legislation. This will be just one of a number of moves which will see the new government go backwards as it repeals and cost-cuts its way into power. They will completely repeal one ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • New initiatives in science and technology could point the way ahead for Luxon government
    As the new government settles into the Beehive, expectations are high that it can sort out some  of  the  economic issues  confronting  New Zealand. It may take time for some new  ministers to get to grips with the range of their portfolio work and responsibilities before they can launch the  changes that  ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    7 days ago
  • Treaty pledge to secure funding is contentious – but is Peters being pursued by a lynch mob after ...
    TV3 political editor Jenna Lynch was among the corps of political reporters who bridled, when Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told them what he thinks of them (which is not much). She was unabashed about letting her audience know she had bridled. More usefully, she drew attention to something which ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago
  • How long does this last?
    I have a clear memory of every election since 1969 in this plucky little nation of ours. I swear I cannot recall a single one where the question being asked repeatedly in the first week of the new government was: how long do you reckon they’ll last? And that includes all ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago
  • National’s giveaway politics
    We already know that national plans to boost smoking rates to collect more tobacco tax so they can give huge tax-cuts to mega-landlords. But this morning that policy got even more obscene - because it turns out that the tax cut is retrospective: Residential landlords will be able to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago
  • CHRIS TROTTER: Who’s driving the right-wing bus?
    Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In 2023, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago
  • GRAHAM ADAMS:  Media knives flashing for Luxon’s government
    The fear and loathing among legacy journalists is astonishing Graham Adams writes – No one is going to die wondering how some of the nation’s most influential journalists personally view the new National-led government. It has become abundantly clear within a few days of the coalition agreements ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    7 days ago
  • Top 10 news links for Wednesday, Nov 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere for Wednesday November 29, including:The early return of interest deductibility for landlords could see rebates paid on previous taxes and the cost increase to $3 billion from National’s initial estimate of $2.1 billion, CTU Economist Craig Renney estimated here last ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Smokefree Fallout and a High Profile Resignation.
    The day after being sworn in the new cabinet met yesterday, to enjoy their honeymoon phase. You remember, that period after a new government takes power where the country, and the media, are optimistic about them, because they haven’t had a chance to stuff anything about yet.Sadly the nuptials complete ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • As Cabinet revs up, building plans go on hold
    Wellington Council hoardings proclaim its preparations for population growth, but around the country councils are putting things on hold in the absence of clear funding pathways for infrastructure, and despite exploding migrant numbers. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Cabinet meets in earnest today to consider the new Government’s 100-day ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • National takes over infrastructure
    Though New Zealand First may have had ambitions to run the infrastructure portfolios, National would seem to have ended up firmly in control of them.  POLITIK has obtained a private memo to members of Infrastructure NZ yesterday, which shows that the peak organisation for infrastructure sees  National MPs Chris ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago
  • At a glance – Evidence for global warming
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    1 week ago
  • Who’s Driving The Right-Wing Bus?
    Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In ...
    1 week ago

  • PISA results show urgent need to teach the basics
    With 2022 PISA results showing a decline in achievement, Education Minister Erica Stanford is confident that the Coalition Government’s 100-day plan for education will improve outcomes for Kiwi kids.  The 2022 PISA results show a significant decline in the performance of 15-year-old students in maths compared to 2018 and confirms ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Collins leaves for Pacific defence meeting
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today departed for New Caledonia to attend the 8th annual South Pacific Defence Ministers’ meeting (SPDMM). “This meeting is an excellent opportunity to meet face-to-face with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security matters and to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the Pacific,” Judith Collins says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Working for Families gets cost of living boost
    Putting more money in the pockets of hard-working families is a priority of this Coalition Government, starting with an increase to Working for Families, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “We are starting our 100-day plan with a laser focus on bringing down the cost of living, because that is what ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme scrapped
    The Government has axed the $16 billion Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme championed by the previous government, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says. “This hugely wasteful project was pouring money down the drain at a time when we need to be reining in spending and focussing on rebuilding the economy and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ welcomes further pause in fighting in Gaza
    New Zealand welcomes the further one-day extension of the pause in fighting, which will allow the delivery of more urgently-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza and the release of more hostages, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said. “The human cost of the conflict is horrific, and New Zealand wants to see the violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Condolences on passing of Henry Kissinger
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today expressed on behalf of the New Zealand Government his condolences to the family of former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who has passed away at the age of 100 at his home in Connecticut. “While opinions on his legacy are varied, Secretary Kissinger was ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Backing our kids to learn the basics
    Every child deserves a world-leading education, and the Coalition Government is making that a priority as part of its 100-day plan. Education Minister Erica Stanford says that will start with banning cellphone use at school and ensuring all primary students spend one hour on reading, writing, and maths each day. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • US Business Summit Speech – Regional stability through trade
    I would like to begin by echoing the Prime Minister’s thanks to the organisers of this Summit, Fran O’Sullivan and the Auckland Business Chamber.  I want to also acknowledge the many leading exporters, sector representatives, diplomats, and other leaders we have joining us in the room. In particular, I would like ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Keynote Address to the United States Business Summit, Auckland
    Good morning. Thank you, Rosemary, for your warm introduction, and to Fran and Simon for this opportunity to make some brief comments about New Zealand’s relationship with the United States.  This is also a chance to acknowledge my colleague, Minister for Trade Todd McClay, Ambassador Tom Udall, Secretary of Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • India New Zealand Business Council Speech, India as a Strategic Priority
    Good morning, tēnā koutou and namaskar. Many thanks, Michael, for your warm welcome. I would like to acknowledge the work of the India New Zealand Business Council in facilitating today’s event and for the Council’s broader work in supporting a coordinated approach for lifting New Zealand-India relations. I want to also ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Coalition Government unveils 100-day plan
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has laid out the Coalition Government’s plan for its first 100 days from today. “The last few years have been incredibly tough for so many New Zealanders. People have put their trust in National, ACT and NZ First to steer them towards a better, more prosperous ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
    A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Further humanitarian support for Gaza, the West Bank and Israel
    The Government is contributing a further $5 million to support the response to urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, bringing New Zealand’s total contribution to the humanitarian response so far to $10 million. “New Zealand is deeply saddened by the loss of civilian life and the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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