Each year since 2008, Australia-wide National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing has been conducted for students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. The intention of NAPLAN is to provide a common measurement and reporting instrument for all Australian students and schools. Students receive individual reports that allow parents to identify aspects of achievement and some comparative information with their child's peers across the nation. To the extent that the tests are based on only a small part of the overall curriculum, results may indicate some individual strengths and areas for development.
NAPLAN results represent only a single 'snapshot' of an individual student's achievement at a particular time. NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling and numeracy. The assessments are undertaken nationwide, every year, in May. NAPLAN is made up of tests in the four areas or 'domains' of:
- reading
- writing
- language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
- Numeracy
NAPLAN tests skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time through the school curriculum. You can find an easy to understand infographic that gives useful information on the NAPLAN tests and their benefits here (810KB).
NAPLAN results need to be understood in the context of the richer and more continuous information that schools have about the progress of learners and the ways this learning can be demonstrated. Each student's semester report of achievement, prepared by their school and sent to parents and guardians, remains the most comprehensive guide to student achievement.
Schools receive class and school reports of their NAPLAN results each year. These may help schools identify areas of curriculum planning and implementation requiring attention. NAPLAN results for every school are available on the federal government's MySchool website.
NAPLAN is moving online. This means moving NAPLAN from the current paper-based tests to computer-based assessments. BCE successfully commenced the transition to NAPLAN Online with 18 schools in 2018. In 2019, 80 schools participated. All BCE schools are expected to be participating in NAPLAN Online in 2020.
NAPLAN Online will provide more precise results and faster turnaround of information. The assessments can run through a real-time internet connection or onscreen without an internet connection. NAPLAN Online features 'tailored testing' which gives students questions that are more suited to their ability.
Significant planning, development, research and trialling has been carried out to prepare schools to move to NAPLAN online.
The National Assessment Program website provides more information about NAPLAN Online including a practice test: NAP.edu.au.
NAPLAN Online - Frequently Asked Questions
NAPLAN Online - Research and development - further information on tailored testing, etc.