Since 2008, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) has been an integral part of the Australian education system, assessing students in years 3, 5, 7, and 9 across four key areas: reading, writing, conventions of language, and numeracy. As with any assessment method, NAPLAN has its proponents and its critics. In this post, we will delve into the advantages and drawbacks of this system, aiming for a balanced understanding.

Advantages of NAPLAN

1. Monitoring School Performance: One of NAPLAN’s primary objectives is to monitor and evaluate how schools are performing in the areas of literacy and numeracy. This can act as a diagnostic tool for the education department, helping to gauge which schools are excelling and which might need additional support.
2. Assessing Essential Skills: The test is designed to determine whether students have acquired the necessary literacy and numeracy skills that are foundational for their future education and careers.
3. A Resource for Policymakers: By providing a clear snapshot of student performance across states and territories, NAPLAN assists policymakers in identifying areas that are doing well and those that might need intervention or adjustment.
4. A Tool for Parents and Teachers: For parents, the results from NAPLAN can be a valuable resource to discuss with their child’s teacher. This collaboration can help pinpoint areas where a student excels and areas that might need further attention.

Criticisms of NAPLAN

While there are clear advantages to the NAPLAN, it is not without its detractors. Some of the common criticisms include:

1. Unequal Performance: It’s concerning that certain groups, notably indigenous and remote students, consistently underperform compared to their peers. Moreover, there hasn’t been a statistically significant improvement in students meeting the minimum standards over time.
2. Added Stress: Many teachers, students, and parents have reported increased stress levels due to the NAPLAN testing. The pressure to perform well and the weightage given to the test results can be overwhelming for some.
3. Disruption to Regular Schooling: NAPLAN testing often means a break from the normal school routine. This can be disruptive for both educators and students, and there are concerns that the school curriculum gets narrowed down in the lead up to the tests, limiting the holistic view of learning.
4. Limited Resources: Schools with fewer resources might find it challenging to provide an optimal environment for students to perform their best during the NAPLAN tests.
5. Delayed Feedback: A gap of four months between the test and the feedback is a significant duration, especially for parents and students eager to understand the results and act on them.