Aitken College Newsletter

College Head of Learning

NAPLAN Testing

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an assessment program for all students in Australian schools in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 which tests knowledge and skills in Literacy and Numeracy. It has been held annually in Australian schools since 2008. The results of the tests provide information for students, parents, teachers and school leaders about student achievement which can be used to support teaching and learning programs.

 

As many of you will already be aware, Aitken College is amongst a number of schools around Australia participating in the Online NAPLAN tests this year. There are a number of benefits to online testing over paper and pen tests:

  • Test questions are generated to match each student’s ability. If students answer the initial questions in each test correctly, they are given harder questions. If students answer the initial questions incorrectly, they are given easier questions. This adaptive test style means that students experience less anxiety or boredom during the tests, and the test results are better able to pinpoint each student’s achievement level.
  • Results are available to schools more quickly.
  • The tests are more engaging and interactive – tools such as protractors and calculators are available where relevant within the test website.
  • There are many more options for adjusting the question delivery to students with particular learning needs (e.g. aural support, variations on question colour and size).

NAPLAN testing will be held between Tuesday 15 May and Friday 25 May. Specific test times for each homeroom will be published in the next newsletter. Each student will be required to complete four tests: Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy. Students who are absent for test sessions will undertake catch-up tests at an alternative time during the testing period, wherever possible.

 

NAPLAN tests fundamental skills rather than specific content, and as such are not tests for which students can study or drill. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to let them know that NAPLAN is just one part of their school program, and to urge them to simply do the best they can on the day. The use of commercially available practice materials or services by coaching providers are not recommended.

 

Parent reports provide detailed information about the results of each student on the testing days in Literacy and Numeracy, showing how each student’s achievement level compares to others in Australia. The results do take some time to arrive and are provided by government bodies – generally they are available by the end of Term 3. More information about the results will be provided in due course.

 

An information brochure about the tests, prepared for parents by ACARA will soon be sent home via students in Years 3, 5, 7 & 9 and is also available at the following link: http://www.nap.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/naplan-online-2018-information-brochure-for-parents-and-carers.pdf?sfvrsn=2

 

Please feel free to contact me about NAPLAN testing if you have any questions.

Ms Kerri Batch

College Head of Learning