The performance of New Zealand 10-year-olds in international tests has failed to improve despite the introduction of the national standards in reading, writing and maths.
Year five students tested late last year for the Trends in International Maths and Science Study did worse than those tested in 2006.
Their performance was also below the international median for maths and science.
The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study. which tested year five students in November 2010. showed no change in their performance but put them above the international median for reading.
The national standards were introduced in 2010 with the aim of improving children's reading, writing and maths.