Kids not improving in literacy, numeracy

The literacy and numeracy skills of primary school students have shown little improvement over the last seven years.

NAPLAN results released on Wednesday show nationally student achievement has stalled since 2008 when the tests were first introduced.

The head of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority Robert Randall says while stability is good, the community will expect more improvement over time.

Education Minister Christopher Pyne says for results to lift the focus needs to turn to the coalition's four pillars of education: curriculum, teacher quality, parental engagement and school autonomy.

"It's not about money, it's actually about the basics of school education," he told ABC radio on Wednesday.

Although Queensland's education standards are improving its students are still scoring below the national average.

Preliminary NAPLAN results have revealed the vast majority of students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are meeting national minimum standards.

And while results have improved in 16 of the 20 tests, Queensland kids are still lagging behind the national average in every year level.

NAPLAN tests students in reading, persuasive writing, spelling, numeracy, grammar and punctuation.