A word or two about NAPLAN

I know that NAPLAN can be quite controversial and a source of stress for some students and families but it is very important that we keep in mind the purpose of these assessments is not to judge or evaluate students but rather, to check that things are progressing as they should. These tests only happen once every two years for a reason and that is to provide a ‘point in time’ assessment as to how much progress a student has made / is making in their learning at a very global level (i.e. general literacy and numeracy skills) and not capture a student’s worth, achievement level or overall success. 

Essentially, NAPLAN does not know students, it does not know how students have been faring in their work or their broader experience and the results of a NAPLAN test are not a measure of how successful or otherwise a student is or has been. Here at the college, NAPLAN results are just one measure that we use to monitor how students are progressing. We recognise the limitations of this metric but also take advantage of its many uses for school wide planning and improvement monitoring. With many students returning to face to face learning this year after a year of remote learning, we are not expecting that NAPLAN will look the same as it has in previous years. We are not sure if it will be better, worse, or pretty much the same as it has been. Whatever happens, we will respond to what the data says and plan for improvement from there. 

Likewise, for students heading into these tests this week, I think it is best to adopt a similar approach. What will be will be……. for now. We all know that last year was not the best for many and yet for some, it was an opportunity to thrive. Whichever group you belong to, NAPLAN is just a chance to work out how much you know, what you still need to know and to then plot a course to get you there. 

It is not a measure against which to judge yourself. 

It is not a measure against which you will be judged.

It is not a measure that determines what you will be or where you will go. 

It is only a measure of what has happened previously. You still have all the power in the world to impact on what this measure means for your future and for yourself. 

I strongly encourage all students in years 7 and 9 to participate in these tests this year. Despite what you may feel about NAPLAN, the information that it can provide for you is actually very useful, if you choose to make use of it. The information is also very useful for us, as a school, to help us identify where we need to focus our attention to ensure that all students are making appropriate progress in general literacy and numeracy skills and, hence, are going to be leaving school at the end of year 12 with the skills and knowledge that they need to succeed in whatever they choose to do. 

A new feature of the NAPLAN assessment is being launched this year, with the award of Year 9 Certificates of Achievement. The new certificates aim to celebrate and recognise the importance of both excellence and learning growth. Beginning in 2021, Year 9 students who achieve outstanding results or who significantly improve their results in NAPLAN tests will receive a NAPLAN Certificate of Achievement. The certificates will be awarded for two categories of achievement: 

• Category one: the achievement of excellence through getting a result in the top band for reading or numeracy, or both.
• Category two: the achievement of outstanding learning growth through improvement by two or more bands between the NAPLAN Year 7 and Year 9 tests for reading or numeracy, or both.

For more information about the new certificate and measures for learning growth, refer to Year 9 NAPLAN certificates of achievement on the Department’s website. https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/Pages/naplancert.aspx