The release of the 2018 NAPLAN results once again highlight how important it is to continually focus on measures to improve student performance across Australia’s education system.
Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said these results include the first step towards NAPLAN online, which will ultimately provide faster, better and richer analysis for students, teachers and parents.
"Future school reforms must focus on driving individual student achievement and equipping teachers with the right tools in the classroom," Minister Birmingham said.
"David Gonski’s recent report, Through Growth To Achievement, provides a clear plan on how to best support students across Australia to be their best and to reach maximum levels of achievement," Minister Birmingham said.
"Work continues with the states and territories and non-government school systems to determine how the reforms set out in the Review should be rolled-out.
"A new national school reform agreement between the Commonwealth and the states and territories is expected to be considered by COAG in the coming months."
Minister Birmingham said over 200,000 Australian school students completed NAPLAN through the new online portal.
"The overwhelming feedback from schools, principals and teachers is that NAPLAN online provides a better and positive experience for students.
"As more schools transition online, students will benefit from a more engaging experience, and schools and parents will see a faster turnaround of results and better information about individuals’ strengths and areas for improvement.
"This is a significant change and the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) has worked with independent experts and analysts to confirm the comparability of the data between the written and online formats.
"The trial of NAPLAN online was an overwhelming success. The best way for each teacher, parent or school to get the most out of NAPLAN in the future will be for all schools to move to the online format, providing all of the benefits of adaptive, online assessment.
"I’m confident the success of NAPLAN online this year will give parents, teachers and school authorities confidence in its ongoing rollout and expansion without unnecessary politicking or scaremongering."
