NAPLAN

NAPLAN

(National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy)

As parents, one of the most wonderful gifts we can give our children, besides our time, is that of a good education. One that provides them with opportunities to live good, productive lives. One that helps each child to reach their full potential not just academically, but culturally, physically, morally, spiritually and emotionally.

In order to be able to participate fully in today's society everyone should have the opputunity to be literate and numerate. Literacy and numeracy are key elements of all learning and without these basic skills many children will struggle to grow and understand the world around them. NAPLAN is just one of the tools teachers use to identify how children are progressing with these important skills. We often hear about the 'stress' of NAPLAN, however children probably become more stressed about it when they see the adults around them stressed. Therefore it is very important for us as parents to keep it in perspective and acknowledge that it is only a 'moment in time' assessment, albeit one that will assist our teachers in ensuring our children are moving in the right direction with their literacy and numeracy. 

ACARA (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority) have produced lots of useful information to assist parents understanding of NAPLAN. Please find below some information from the ACARA website.

Why do students do NAPLAN?
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake.

As students progress through their school years, it is important to check how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and numeracy. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards.

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with more information about students’ educational progress.

NAPLAN also provides schools, education authorities and governments with information about how education programs are working, and whether young Australians are achieving important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy.

What does NAPLAN assess?
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through their regular school curriculum. 

Students sit assessments in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The questions assess content linked to the Australian Curriculum: English and Mathematics. 

All government and non-government education authorities contribute to the development of NAPLAN test materials.

To find out more about NAPLAN, visit nap.edu.au.