When over a million students sit for NAPLAN tests in May, some for the first time will complete it online.
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The online test uses tailored testing, where the test automatically adapts to student performance and asks questions that match the student achievement level.
This move to online testing was welcomed by critics, who in early April called for an extensive overhaul of the “severely defective” NAPLAN tests.
The criticism followed a highly critical international report on NAPLAN testing, endorsed by NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes, which stated the NAPLAN writing assessment was making Australian students poor writers by promoting “low-level mechanical skills”.
Dr Les Perelman's report, which was commissioned by the NSW Teachers Federation, included an in-depth analysis of the marking criteria for the NAPLAN tests which students across the country sit in years 3, 5, 7 and 9.
NSW Primary Principals Association president Phil Seymour said NAPLAN provided an incomplete picture of how schools and students were travelling.
There is a lot of unnecessary angst around NAPLAN assessments. It should remain a simple snapshot of how children are doing to help focus teachers and parents on the best outcomes.
- APC president Shelley Hill
But the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) which administers NAPLAN, has stated “NAPLAN is not, and should never be, the sole measure of a child’s achievement at school or of the success of a school”.
ACARA has also been backed by representatives of Australia’s national parent organisations, which advocate for millions of school parents around the country.
Combined, the Australian Council of State School Organisations, Australian Parents Council and the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association advocate for almost 4 million students across the country.
In a joint statement, the groups said they supported the useful role NAPLAN plays in the education of children.
“There is a lot of unnecessary angst around NAPLAN assessments. It should remain a simple snapshot of how children are doing to help focus teachers and parents on the best outcomes,” APC president Shelley Hill said.
ACSSO president Phillip Spratt said NAPLAN data allows “us to work in partnership with our teachers, school leaders and supporting bureaucracy with objective information to improve the learning opportunities for every child in our schools, and to ensure that true need is addressed”.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
