NAPLAN – What you need to know

*Some of this information was published in Issue 3 last Term however is being reiterated as NAPLAN is fast approaching. New information is also being conveyed in this issue. Please see Issue 3 for more comprehensive information about NAPLAN in case you missed it: https://newsletters.naavi.com/i/v5zWkWN/issue-3/page/9

Emerald Secondary College recognises that NAPLAN tests are a ‘snapshot’ – a test that is conducted on one day in time. These tests do not define our students – we take into consideration the whole student when developing curriculum and assessment. In the course of a student’s academic year we reflect and explore other kinds of data, how students approach their day-to-day learning tasks, their positive learning behaviours, their work requirements and CATs, how they’ve developed as individuals – socially and emotionally as well as academically – the goals they’ve achieved, the challenges they’ve faced and the progress they’ve made. NAPLAN is part of this bigger picture, and is important as we work to design relevant and appropriate curriculum that both challenges and supports students to achieve success, and helps to identify students for targeted programs that best suit their individual learning needs.

NAPLAN – National Assessment Program – Literacy & Numeracy

NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. Students in Years 7 and 9 will participate in NAPLAN this year and will undertake tests in

Reading
Writing
Conventions of Language (Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation) and
Numeracy

Each test will be conducted online and range in duration from 42-65 minutes.

When will NAPLAN be occurring?

The NAPLAN testing period begins on Tuesday 10th May. Students will be able to see the NAPLAN events on their Compass page.

Does my child know what to do?

Your child will have installed an LDB (Locked Down Browser) app on their laptop already last term. Instructions for this quick process can be found on Compass under ‘School Favourites’ (the star) – NAPLAN for Mac or NAPLAN for Windows.

Students who have a Mac computer will unfortunately have to reinstall the app as the assessment authority (ACARA) has just advised the first app was problematic. Please see Compass Newsfeed post regarding this.

Student assemblies are being conducted to inform students of what to expect, where to go, what to bring etc
Students are also being briefed as to what the criteria are for tests – not so that they can prepare necessarily but so that they know which aspects of their skills will be focussed upon, and are reminded about the skills they have learned that they can demonstrate.

Can my child practice?

Absolutely. Students have already participated in the Nationwide Coordinated Practice Test. This prepared them – especially Year 7’s – for the exam environment, technical challenges and gave them the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the tests themselves and the features on the online platform.
Students, parents and carers can use the public demonstrate test site to familiarise themselves with the types of questions and functions (eg online calculator, timers, protractor, audio functions).
The demonstration site can be found by scrolling to the bottom of https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

and accessing the relevant Year level tests via the blue buttons.

My child will find the tests difficult. Is there support?

There are adjustments that can be made to the NAPLAN tests to assist students with disabilities, impairments or learning difficulties that might significantly and reasonably impact their participation. By now, such adjustments should already have been recorded in readiness for the tests. Please contact me ASAP however if you think your child might benefit from an adjustment and I can discuss these options with you.

Please note that NAPLAN is not an ‘opt-out’ educational activity. All Year 7 and 9 students across Australia are expected to participate. Withdrawal or exemption are only options in exceptional circumstances, must be communicated to the College directly via parents/carers and will only be considered well in advance of the scheduled testing times.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries.

Tanja Korsten - Literacy & Pedagogy Specialist

Tanja.korsten@education.vic.gov.au

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