NAPLAN testing underway in Aussie schools today
More than a million children across the country will sit the first of their NAPLAN tests today, putting their putting their reading, writing and mathematics skills to the test.
NAPLAN, which stands for the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, is a series of tests focused on basic skills administered to Australian students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9.
NSW Minister for Early Learning and Education Sarah Mitchell said this is the first year that the testing will be held in Term 1 for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students, meaning families and teachers will "soon benefit from earlier results".
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Hundreds of thousands of children throughout will sit the first of their NAPLAN tests today. AAP
"The NSW-led review of NAPLAN in 2019 identified a number of improvements, that my state and federal counterparts have agreed to implement," Mitchell said.
"A big thank you to the teachers, NAPLAN coordinators and school principals for their efforts preparing for NAPLAN this year amidst the changes.
"Importantly, with NAPLAN being conducted earlier in the school year, results will be available earlier to teachers, schools, and the school sectors. Earlier access to data will be more useful to inform school and system teaching and learning programs.
Education Ministers around the country recently also agreed to streamlining reporting, so that results are easier for to review.
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NAPLAN is a series of mandatory tests focused on basic skills such as reading, writing and mathematics. Getty
Beginning this year, every student's NAPLAN report will show how they're tracking against four new categories: "Exceeding", "Strong", "Developing" and "Needs additional support".
"These four simple categories of achievement mean parents and carers will know at a glance where their child is at on this test," Mitchell said.
"NSW remains committed to delivering the intent of the NAPLAN review, which is to ensure NAPLAN remains a rigorous and modern national test that is timely for teachers and helpful for parents."
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