An Australian Catholic University expert in standardised assessment has called for calm on the eve of the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).
Associate Professor Steven Lewis has urged school leaders, teachers, families, and students to take a collective breath amid the start of the nationwide testing window.
Associate Professor Lewis, of ACU’s Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education, said while NAPLAN was a worthwhile test for about 1.3 million students in years three, five, seven, and nine to do, the focus should ultimately be on what was done with the results.
He also welcomed plans announced last week by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority to release results to schools and parents faster, allowing timely NAPLAN data to more readily inform student learning in the classroom.
“NAPLAN is a snapshot of where students are tracking at a given point in time. It is not definitive of all that they are or what they will achieve in life,” he said.
“The most important thing for everyone involved is to treat it as what it is supposed to be – a measure of student achievement to inform educators about where children are at and, more importantly, what learning and supports are needed to fill any gaps as well as where teachers need to focus to ensure students continue to advance their learning.
“Getting those results into the hands of educators and parents faster is a good move to allow for early teaching and learning interventions and targeted support.”
Associate Professor Lewis said stressing about the tests – which will assess numeracy, reading, spelling, writing, grammar, and punctuation between March 12 and March 24 – and trying to teach to the tests would not help to improve real outcomes.
“Teaching to any test is never going to work to create long-lasting, rich learning among students. Evidence-based practices addressing the needs of each student are always the way to go,” he said.
“And we need to focus on the end-game – how are school systems and policy makers using results to not only identify areas of need and disadvantage, but also to act upon this with real measures to level the playing field for primary and secondary school students wherever they are and whatever their background is?”
Associate Professor Lewis wished students and educators well during the NAPLAN testing window and called for an approach that supported, encouraged, and comforted students, particularly those feeling anxious about the testing regime.
“Educators know that the way to get the best out of any student is to have strong bonds and to focus on the whole child. Reassure students that this isn’t the be all and end all, encourage them to do their best, and congratulate their efforts,” he said.
“We all know that whether it’s NAPLAN or senior school exam results or the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank, every child is more than a number.”