NAPLAN

National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 

Year 3 and 5 students at Hackham East Primary sat the NAPLAN tests last term. The NAPLAN tests students’ skills in Reading, Writing, Language Conventions (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar), and Numeracy. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning and allows parents to see how their child/ren are progressing against national standards and to track progress over time. 

NAPLAN tests are administered online in all schools across Australia (except for Year 3 Writing).  The online platform provides a more engaging platform for students as well as system that provided for differing ability levels.  Depending on what students got right or wrong early in the test helped to dictate the test path that each individual took, therefore hopefully providing a more accurate account of student ability levels. NAPLAN tests give students an opportunity to demonstrate skills they have learnt over time.

As I supported in administering the tests, there were several things that were evident.  Our students are developing their resilience and will continue to do so.  Interoception strategies were being utilised by numerous students which was really pleasing to see in times of challenge or when students were nervous and anxious.  Our students on a whole want to do their best and give themselves every opportunity to do so through utilising strategies taught, showing their working out and generally not just rushing through the tests. These characteristics were great to witness during the testing period and will hopefully keep them in good stead for future learning and testing.

NAPLAN tests are not the only measure of student performance, but they are a measure for schools to find out what students can and cannot do so that support can be provided at a whole cohort level as well as at an individual level. National test results provide information on how students are progressing and support ongoing improvements in teaching and learning at Hackham East Primary. Student results bring about healthy but challenging discussions about best practice and improvement in both student and teacher learning. 

Schools will be provided with data packages which contain student results either before or at the same time that student reports are provided to parents. Every child will receive a report showing their results against key national information.  The results should be available to parents’ early term 3.  We utilise this data along with a range of other data sources to ensure ongoing improvements in teaching and learning.

Scott Megson

Deputy Principal