Reading the NAPLAN Test Results

School communities have recently received the results of the first national tests in literacy and numeracy for students in Years 3,5,7 and 9. The national tests differed significantly from the previous state administered tests. Without a national curriculum and a common school starting age, it is difficult to compare state results, though Queensland performed below most of the other states in the tests.

It needs to be pointed out that theses tests are taken at a particular point in the students’ schooling and give no indication of progress over time in literacy and numeracy. The Federation has always asserted that the most effective form of assessment and reporting is that which is developed within the school community and looks at the individual needs of students. It also insists that test results in isolation are not an adequate indication of student learning and development.

However, the results do signify that there is considerable room for improvement and they should be used by schools to identify any deficiencies in the students’ literacy and numeracy skills and that, subsequently, remedial programs will be instituted to raise the performance of students who are not achieving the national benchmarks. Obviously, effective  resources will required in those  schools where the performance of some students is below the benchmark and the Federation will be seeking assurances from government that those needs will be met.