The annual NAPLAN assessment begins tomorrow, with 1.3 million students set to take the test in more than 9,800 schools and campuses across Australia.
"This year is an important milestone for NAPLAN as it is the first year that the annual test is being held in March instead of May," ACARA CEO, David de Carvalho, said. "The enormous efforts of teachers and schools across all jurisdictions and sectors to get ready for an earlier NAPLAN this year should not be under-estimated and are very much appreciated.
"Ministers agreed to moving NAPLAN into Term 1 so the results would be available earlier in the year to inform teaching and learning programs. It will give teachers earlier insights to support their professional judgment about how their students are progressing against the new proficiency standards and consider what support they might need in the coming year."
Mr de Carvalho said that NAPLAN is invaluable as a national assessment that allows us to see whether young Australians are developing critical literacy and numeracy skills for learning, using a national, objective scale.
"It helps governments, education authorities and schools see whether Australian children are reaching important literacy and numeracy goals and allows parents and carers to see how their child is progressing against national literacy and numeracy standards. Students can get an insight into where they are placed on their own individual learning journey."
Mr de Carvalho also said that while NAPLAN is an important measure, it must be kept in perspective. "It's one test held every two years. It doesn't measure overall school quality. It's not meant to tell us everything about a student or their achievement. NAPLAN tests literacy and numeracy skills that are being developed in the classroom everyday with questions based mostly on what students have been taught from previous years of schooling. There is no need for students to undertake extra practice for NAPLAN and they should not feel apprehensive about the assessment."
