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Articles on NAPLAN

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This year’s preliminary release of NAPLAN data was due out August 8. www.shutterstock.com

Why the NAPLAN results delay is a storm in a teacup

Much of the controversy over the delay in this year’s NAPLAN data comes down to its misuse and a misunderstanding of statistical comparability.
Trends in education suggest an increased focus on the assessment and teaching of thinking skills in the future. Shutterstock

How NAPLAN could assess creativity and critical thinking

To assess problem-solving, creative and critical thinking skills on NAPLAN would fit with broader movements in education internationally, but there are some questions to address first.
Getting rid of NAPLAN would remove a distraction from the classroom and allow teachers more time to understand and address the needs of the students. Dean Lewins/AAP

Let’s abandon NAPLAN – we can do better

Getting rid of NAPLAN would allow teachers more time to respond to and address the needs of their students, rather than teaching to the test.
We may need to rethink how NAPLAN is used, but overall it’s an important tool for researchers and policymakers. Shutterstock

Five things we wouldn’t know without NAPLAN

While we may need to rethink how we use NAPLAN, it is an important and useful tool for researchers and policy makers.
The average year nine Indigenous student in a very remote area scores about the same in NAPLAN reading as the average year three non-Indigenous city student, and significantly lower in writing. Aap/Tracey Nearmy

Closing the gap in Indigenous literacy and numeracy? Not remotely – or in cities

Using equivalent year levels provides us with a clearer picture of the gap for Indigenous students, who can be up to an equivalent of 7.7 years behind their non-Indigenous counterparts in writing.
Standardised assessments can inform what teachers teach, based on evidence of student learning. Shutterstock

Evidence-based education needs standardised assessment

Standardised tests are a powerful tool for building an evidence base of what works to guide education policy.
For a student who is blind, the obvious test adjustment is providing a braille test if they are proficient in braille. Shutterstock

Standardised tests limit students with disability

Standardised tests restrict how well students with disability can do, which reinforces the idea that there are things they can’t do that children without disability can.
Results from the 2017 NAPLAN results showed very little improvement since the test was introduced 10 years ago. Richard Wainwright/AAP

NAPLAN has done little to improve student outcomes

NAPLAN is good at measuring some aspects of education, including knowledge difference between demographics, but has not produced a positive effect on student learning outcomes.
“Slow” movements promote concepts of mindfulness and a consideration of process as well as outcomes. Shutterstock/Jaromir Chalabala

For long-term improvements, schools need to slow down

Pressure on schools to make rapid improvements discourages deeper thinking about long-term solutions. Education can learn a lot from “slow” movements.

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