An analysis of the past decade of Tasmanian NAPLAN results has revealed a continuing trend of low and declining literacy and numeracy coinciding with the term of the Liberal Government which has failed to act to improve our student's performance.
Shadow Education Minister Josh Willie said the report by respected academic and demographer Lisa Denny showsthe Tasmanian education system produces considerably lower levels of educational attainment compared with the national average and Tasmanian results are in crisis with further declines.
The report also reveals a substantial socio-economic gap and a gender gap also exists between higher-and lower-SES grade 9 students.
"NAPLAN results over the last 10 years show that the Gutwein Government has done very little to help Tasmanian kids not only improve their results but leave school ready for the workforce," Mr Willie said.
"Ms Denny's analysis shows that the literacy and numeracy knowledge and skills of Tasmanian students have continued to decline as they progress from lower primary through to secondary schooling.
"Successive Liberal Government Education Ministers including the current Minister Sarah Courtney are well versed in these facts. Yet, very little has been done to help lift the results.
"It's time for the government and Ms Courtney to get on with the job and actually put in place funding and evidence based resources to help Tasmanian kids attain acceptable levels of reading and writing.
"Low literary and numeracy skills will impact kids throughout their lives and have a devasting effect on their ability to sustain meaningful employment."
The key findings of Ms Denny's report include:.
- Literacy and numeracy knowledge at or below the expected standards progressively increased as 2021 year group progressed through their schooling from lower primary to upper primary to high school
- For the 2021 year 9 cohort, 28.5 per cent could not read above the level expected to engage in the wider curriculum, 41.5 per cent could not express themselves in written form and 23.4 per cent were not numerate
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for Education and Early Years
