The National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is to become a more effective assessment tool next year, following a review led by NSW.
Announcing the improvements to NAPLAN, the Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell, said they included delivering test results earlier in the year, a change to be implemented from 2023.
Ms Mitchell said she was pleased that changes were happening in line with the review initiated by NSW in 2019 to make NAPLAN a more effective diagnostic tool.
“These are necessary changes I have been pushing for over the past two years,” Ms Mitchell said, “particularly following the success of the NSW Check-In Assessments, which give teachers results within 48 hours.”
“Currently, the timing of NAPLAN means it is not diagnostic, as students sit the tests quite late and results are delivered months later, minimising their value in the classroom.”
She said the 2019 Review recommended the test be brought forward from May to as early as possible in the year so that results could be used more productively by schools and teachers.
“Delivering results earlier in the year means teachers have a better understanding of where their students are at and can develop classroom programs accordingly,” the Minister said.
“This is a win for teachers, students and their families,” she said.
“It ensures the assessment can be used more effectively and provides greater opportunity to improve learning outcomes.”
Ms Mitchell said that in addition to the changes, from Term 2, 2024 schools would be able to opt-in to additional assessments for Year 6 and 10 students, starting with Science in 2024; Civics and Citizenship in 2025; and Digital Literacy in 2026.
