Rate My Professor Jenny Ward

Dr Jenny Ward is a key figure in educational assessment at the University of Otago College of Education, serving as Project Lead for the Educational Assessment Research Unit (EARU) and the Curriculum Insights project. She completed her PhD in 2010 at the University of Otago College of Education with a thesis entitled 'Teacher knowledge of fractions: An assessment,' examining educators' conceptual understanding of fractions critical for effective mathematics instruction. In her leadership role, Ward directs Curriculum Insights, a major national assessment program commissioned by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the New Zealand Council for Educational Research. This initiative tracks trends in student achievement in English-medium state and state-integrated primary schools, evaluating Years 3, 6, and 8 students across reading, writing, mathematics, and the eight learning areas of the New Zealand Curriculum. Each year, the project assesses more than 6,000 students in around 160 schools through learning area assessments, foundation skills evaluations, and a dedicated research panel of schools. Building on the National Monitoring Study of Student Achievement (2011-2022) and the National Education Monitoring Project (1995-2010), it delivers actionable insights to support curriculum implementation, teacher professional development, and policy decisions aimed at elevating educational standards nationwide.