All TEOs that receive $5 million or more in funding from the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) must submit updates on their LSPs and Disability Action Plans in the Strategic Intent part of their Investment Plan.

LSPs detail how the TEO will achieve better educational outcomes for all learners, in particular, under-served learners (eg, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, with low prior achievement, or who are disabled, neurodivergent, Māori and/or Pacific). LSPs include strategies for achieving a system that is outcome-driven and focused on learners, whānau and communities.

We use TEOs’ progress against these plans to inform funding decisions, actively monitor progress against commitments, and hold organisations to account. Through this approach, we are sending a strong signal that delivering better educational outcomes for learners is fundamental to our investment.

What is a Learner Success Plan?

The learner success approach requires TEOs to understand their learners and design how their whole organisation must operate to deliver to the learners’ needs. Their LSPs outline how this will happen through a roadmap to success. Documenting its approach through an LSP is the best way to ensure a TEO remains focused on improving outcomes for its learners.

Learner Success Plan guidance

We provide guidance to help TEOs develop their LSPs. The Guidance outlines what we expect from TEOs in terms of their LSP development and implementation.

It supports you to develop your LSP and gives suggestions on how to use the Learner Success Framework and Learner Success Diagnostic Tool as part of this development.

Learner Success Plans: Guidance for tertiary education organisations (PDF 298 KB)

Learner Success Plan templates

We encourage you to use the templates, or the headings the templates provide, to guide your documents. You’ll find further information on how to complete your LSP in the guidance document above.

Template for Learner Success Plans (DOCX 268 KB)

Giving effect to the Tertiary Education Strategy (TES)

Creating and implementing an LSP helps TEOs give effect to the TES, specifically Priority 1: Achievement, Priority 3: Access and Participation, and Priority 4: Integration and Collaboration.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between LSP Guidance, the Learner Success Framework and the Learner Success Diagnostic Tool?

The LSP Guidance is advice from the TEC on how to develop a LSP and what it should cover.

The Learner Success Framework is a blueprint for change. It provides TEOs with an approach for putting learners at the heart of what they do and is designed to improve educational outcomes for all learners, through addressing biases and disparities that have led to specific learner groups being under-served.

The Learner Success Diagnostic Tool is a digital tool that empowers TEOs to intentionally redesign their operating models to achieve equity of educational outcomes – and better outcomes. The tool is the second phase of the Learner Success Framework.

These resources support each other and should be read and used together to support your Learner Success approach.

Who has to update the TEC on progress against their LSP?

TEOs must submit LSP updates in the Strategic Intent part of their Investment Plan if they receive $5 million or more in funding from the TEC.

What about other TEOs?

We strongly encourage all TEC-funded TEOs to engage with the Learner Success Framework and consider developing an LSP. Doing so will mean taking all possible steps to achieving better educational outcomes for all learners, particularly under-served learners.

More information

TEC staff are available to answer any questions about LSPs, the LSP Guidance and the investment process. Please contact your Relationship Manager or the Customer Contact Team on 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz.