Maori Approaches to Assessment(2007), LING 612 by Lesley Remeka

This article shows that authentic assessment is already going through a journey to "demonstrate" how students are progressing in a unique and cultural way for the Maori people. I found it interesting to read that the assessment is done, not only by the school, but by the community, teachers, and children. The assessment shows how the individual is a part of the whole group of people and that the ways of the people are taught. This is a whole new way to see how people can learn in the school setting. First comes community and then comes the traditional ways of learning the content curriculum.
The point that really made me think that this approach will work is because it is starting in the Maori early childhood centers. Like all learned behavior and the way that young children learn, is started right at the beginning when they are first learning to talk, walk, and become their own little bosses while choosing what to explore. I really am interested to see how the community will buy into the assessment of the program.
My only concern is whether the culture is strong and if the people already practice a strong lifestyle that supports this type of authentic assessment. So many times the desire to practice the culture of old ways is not what is important to a group of people and trying to get it back in that way might put added burden on the young children who depend on adults to teach them the right way to become good citizens of their group.
Authentic assessment is needed and I am glad to see a group from New Zealand taking the necessary steps to head in the right direction and taking charge of what they want the goals of their youth to achieve.