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 and are undertaken nationwide, every year in Term 1. NAPLAN is made up of tests in the four areas or 'domains' of:
- Reading
- Writing
- Conventions of Language (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
- Numeracy
NAPLAN tests skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time through the school curriculum. You can find additional information on the NAPLAN tests here . A simple english version can also be accessed here.
NAPLAN results need to be understood alongside the data and information that schools already collect within a school context about the progress of each learner and the ways this learning can be demonstrated. Each student's semester report of achievement, prepared by their school and accessed by parents and guardians, is a comprehensive guide to student achievement.
Schools receive class and school reports of their NAPLAN results each year. These help schools identify areas of curriculum planning and implementation that can be improved and may be used to inform school explicit improvement agendas. NAPLAN results for every school are available on the federal government's MySchool website.
NAPLAN is undertaken online and provides precise results and efficient turnaround of information.
The National Assessment Program website provides more information about NAPLAN Online including a practice test: NAP.edu.au.
NAPLAN Online - Frequently Asked Questions