Tests

Analysis and Comment (12)

Phcykp5f-1365643694
If you want to improve science education, standardised science literacy tests is not the way to go. Test image from www.shutterstock.com

NAPLAN science tests unlikely to improve science education

By Greg Thompson, Murdoch University

The federal Labor government’s proposal to expand the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) franchise and include science literacy is not a surprising move. Once national testing…
Vn2fv7mn-1357793710
Sorting high achieving students from their peers may be sending the wrong message. AAP/Dean Lewins

Our obsession with ‘natural’ talent is harming students

By Catherine Scott, University of Melbourne

Results released from a major Victorian study on student learning show high achieving children’s performance in tests is “flat-lining”. The study, by Professor Patrick Griffin, followed 36,000 students…
Tyzc9t4x-1355293842
Two new international reports on school performance should be put into perspective. Education image from www.shutterstock.com

Are we headed for an educational disaster? Hardly

By Deborah Corrigan, Monash University

The recent release of Australia’s performance in the TIMMS (2011) and PIRLS (2011) test results has sparked much media comment about what this means for the quality of Australian education. The focus…
Xk3hkpjx-1355263770
The latest results of international testing in maths, science and reading means Australia’s education outlook does not look good. Test image from www.shutterstock.com

Latest tests show PM’s 2025 education goal is in doubt

By Sue Thomson, Australian Council for Educational Research

Prime Minister Julia Gillard in September set an ambitious goal for Australian education: to be ranked as a top-five country in reading, mathematics and science by 2025. Clearly she is hoping to lift…
Dp8z5pqq-1354227819
There’s been plenty of attention on NAPLAN testing this week, but ACARA’s Barry McGaw argues there needn’t be. Test image from www.shutterstock.com

NAPLAN myths: it’s not a high-stakes test

By Barry McGaw, University of Melbourne

There has been much controversy this week over a study released by the Whitlam Institute claiming that NAPLAN testing is being treated as a high-stakes program that is causing unnecessary stress among…
T8njxzvw-1353645946
Literacy and numeracy tests are having a negative impact on Australian students. Test image from www.shutterstock.com

Testing the test: NAPLAN makes for stressed kids and a narrow curriculum

By Nicky Dulfer, University of Melbourne

NAPLAN tests – the literacy and numeracy tests given to primary and secondary students – are causing health problems and promoting a culture of “teaching to the test”. A national study released today…
Nph4dy9d-1348624306
A new review of international studies shows up to 62% of lab tests and 36% of radiology tests aren’t reviewed by doctors. It is believed the rate may be similar in Australia. Waiting room image from shutterstock.com

Medical test results – why no news doesn’t mean good news

By Joanne Callen

In health care, communication can be a matter of life or death. Take the case of an American woman diagnosed with a blood clot in her leg. She died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism the following day, while…
Hf9b7t3v-1347607672
What’s the real effect of NAPLAN testing? AAP Image/Paul Miller

Anxious kids not learning: the real effects of NAPLAN

By Greg Thompson, Murdoch University

Australian teachers are not convinced that NAPLAN improves the reading and maths skills of students. Over the next week, NAPLAN results will be arriving at students' homes around Australia. But new research…
D9t56w42-1347593206
Bad NAPLAN results can lead parents to seek help, but which learning programs can they trust? Test image from www.shutterstock.com

Nasty NAPLAN results: what should parents do next?

By Anne Castles

The latest NAPLAN results have arrived, and soon enough thousands of Australian parents will tear open the envelope containing their child’s NAPLAN results. They will be faced with a series of graphs…
2frzcg86-1347321447
Looking to Asian schools is exactly what we shouldn’t be doing. Chalkboard image www.shutterstock.com

Our Asian schooling infatuation: the problem of PISA envy

By Stephen Dinham, University of Melbourne

It was fun while it lasted Finland, but we’re going cold on you. We thought your schools had the secret but our new infatuation is with Asian school systems. The Prime Minister seems to agree. The government…
Zwdjwj4q-1337230931
The NAPLAN tests are about getting the best results for students. Flickr/Elizabeth Albert

Don’t boycott NAPLAN! Turning our back skews good data

By Barry McGaw, University of Melbourne

A small but vocal group is calling on parents to withdraw their children from the National Assessment Program: Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests. But if this call is successful and enough children…

Research Briefs (3)

Test spots golden staph infections faster

Georgia Institute of Technology, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention

Researchers have developed a faster and more effective method of detecting Staphylococcus aureus (golden staph) infections…

Participants (58)