An interim report of the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) review has been released, outlining shortfalls in the student testing scheme.
The Minister for Education, Sarah Mitchell said the interim report, commissioned by the NSW Government alongside Queensland, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory looked at everything from the timing and content of the test to how the results were reported.
“This interim report shows us that the test, in its current form, is not providing parents, teachers and schools with diagnostic information in the most efficient way,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The release of this interim report brings us a step closer to building a diagnostic system that provides timely and important information about a student’s growth and development throughout their education,” she said.
Ms Mitchell said the report outlined concerns with the testing platform which included: testing deficiencies; delays in results; and the potential narrowing of the curriculum.
She said NAPLAN, in its current form, had been in place since 2008.
She said the review was undertaken by a panel of highly experienced education experts: Professor Barry McGaw, Professor Claire Wyatt-Smith and Professor William Louden.
Ms Mitchell said the interim report would be discussed at the Education Council this week, with the final report available in 2020.
The nine-page interim report can be accessed at this PS News link.
