The latest national literacy and numeracy results (NAPLAN) reveal there have been no major leaps in improvement across Australian classrooms, with results remaining fairly stable since 2017.
Data released this week also showed that writing skills have dropped to their lowest levels, with 79.5 per cent of students reaching the minimum standard in that area of learning.
However, students in NSW are again above the national average for all components of testing (numeracy, reading, conventions of language and writing).
The NAPLAN 2018 provides results for each school year (3, 5, 7 and 9).
But Chief executive of The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), Robert Randall says that since 2008, there have been statistically significant gains in a number of year levels, particularly at the primary level.
He said online testing proved to be an advantage for year 9 students in particular, whose results on average were higher than the results of students who completed writing tests on paper.
Independent experts to ACARA’s data noted that digital confidence was a contributing factor, where students had greater ability in readily editing and reviewing their work online.
“This was the first year in which some students took NAPLAN online and the transition was smooth, with feedback from schools at the time of testing stating that students found the online assessment engaging,” Mr Randall said. “The NAPLAN Online platform performed well.”
ACARA is moving testing to be online by 2020. This year was the first time about 20 per cent of students did tests online.
National president of the Australian Literacy Educators' Association Beryl Exley says discussion needs to move beyond NAPLAN results to the effects of NAPLAN on education.
“It’s negatively affecting the schooling experience for students,” Professor Exley said.
“In some schools students are spending up to 20 weeks preparing for NAPLAN. That’s 20 weeks where they are not undertaking the Australian Curriculum and that is a source of concern.
“Teachers are best place to decide on the form and timing of assessment.”
ACARA stated that while NAPLAN provides a snapshot of a child’s assessment at a point in time, individual student results should be considered together with school-based assessments.
