Recent changes to the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) provide a useful next step in the evolution of the national testing of Australian students.
Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) deputy chair, Siobhan Allen notes that, “while CSPA respects that some individual Catholic schools and jurisdictions have varied opinions around NAPLAN, CSPA believes that maximum use should be made of student data from these national assessments”.
“Moving NAPLAN to earlier in the year will present some initial challenges, however the new timing, together with the online adaptive design of the tests, should prove more useful for student learning,” Siobhan said.
CSPA understands that such challenges as internet access continue for some schools, however acknowledges the support of ACARA, and all State and Territory authorities in helping these schools to work around such issues.
CSPA also acknowledges the work of schools in setting up and administering NAPLAN, including their efforts to minimise anxiety for our children.
The use of less complicated descriptors for levels of individual student reports is welcomed by parents. Exceeding, Strong and Developing provide reasonable clarity of where a child is at, while Needs additional support will build the expectation in parents and carers of what’s coming next for their child. It is CSPA’s hope that this descriptor is a catalyst for action to improve learning for these students.
The ability for a parent/carer to partner with the school around the wellbeing and learning of their child is vital to not only the success of their child but also to the wellbeing of teachers.
In previous NAPLAN reporting, a child’s performance on specific criteria gave parents/carers the opportunity to engage more closely with their child’s achievement with specific skills. CSPA feels that a return to this more detailed reporting on skills would be useful – especially if a child’s report reads Needs additional support.
“CSPA looks forward to the potential learning support benefits from the new changes to NAPLAN,” Siobhan concluded.
Up to date NAPLAN information for parents and carers can be found on the ACARA website.
CSPA is the national, peak body for the parents/carers of the 793,897 children and young people in Australia’s 1,759 Catholic schools. One in every five Australian students is educated in a Catholic school.
(Data from the National Catholic Education Commission, 2023).