EVERYTHING PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NAPLAN
NAPLAN is the National Assessment Programme – Literacy and Numeracy. It is part of the educational system and targets children in years 3, 5, 7, and 9. NAPLAN takes place in May, but only for the selected age groups of children required for the assessment. Parents need to know that the fundamental purpose of the assessment is to look at learning progress in literacy and numeracy in the specified age groups in schools. It is about what the children are already learning in literacy and numeracy.
NAPLAN does not expect students to study for the exam. The assessment is based on skills the students have already acquired through the educational system. The test provides information to the educational authorities, parents, and schools. It is essential to tell yourself and the children involved in NAPLAN that it is not about passing or failing. NAPLAN is about assessing and monitoring children's progress within the school system. Schools benefit from the statistics gathered because the results will show any gaps or weak areas in learning at a particular age level.
“Assessment is about teachers and not students," said Deepa Bhussh, an inspiring educator and curriculum designer.
Parents need to know the purpose behind NAPLAN is to assist the teachers, who in turn communicate with the education system and evaluate the curriculum to determine if the children are benefiting from the program. Education today is about skills and problem solving and acquiring the basic maths and literacy tools to function independently.
NAPLAN 2022 sees the introduction of the assessment online. Schools that can facilitate online testing will do so, and the online testing system will start from year 5. A practice test will allow schools to familiarise themselves with the system and ensure all the facilities are available. Online testing does not apply to the year 3 students. Online testing is seen as progress in the testing system and an improvement in marking and providing feedback. NAPLAN online enables parents and carers to access additional information via an online fact sheet with the opportunity to become more familiar with the NAPLAN online format.
The contents of the tests are regulated through tailored testing. Testing through this system enables all students to achieve success through the gradual increase in the degree of difficulty of the test questions. NAPLAN teaching resources are readily available to prepare students for their assessments. The online resources include the practice material to familiarise the students with the NAPLAN style of testing. In addition, there are rubrics for persuasive and narrative writing to help parents and pupils understand what is expected of them and how the assessments will be marked. The system is very user-friendly and supportive of parents and their pupils. Take advantage of this material to help understand problem-solving styles and the expected reading and comprehension levels.
The test content covers the following key performance areas at the right level in language or literacy and maths.
Language areas tested are:
- Writing – writing a passage as a result of a 'prompt' to engage the students in a written dialogue at an age-appropriate level
- Reading – reading a passage of informative text and answering specific questions.
- Spelling, grammar, and punctuation – assess the level of knowledge of basic punctuation, grammar, and spelling rules as applied to the English Language.
Mathematical assessments areas are:
- Number and algebra – computation of number and numeracy at each level.
- Measurements and geometry – using standard measurements and understanding geometrical shapes and their properties.
- Statistics and probability – using statistics and probability to problem solve.
All these topics are graded and appropriate for their level of learning.
How are these results used?
The results can be used by teachers, students, and parents to identify particular pupils' needs for their benefit.
Schools use the results to determine areas needing improvement with better teaching programs to uplift particular students.
Parents can participate in preparing their children for these assessment tests.
Here are some guidelines on how to handle the tests from a home perspective.
- Offer maximum support and familiarise the family with the procedure.
- Reassure children that NAPLAN is a part of their school program, and on the day of the test, they must try to do their best.
- Make sure your child can use the devices if an online approach is taken. Assure them it is not a test of their typing skills, and their teachers will make sure they know how to answer questions.
NAPLAN is assessing literacy and numeracy skills. It is not rote learning or memorising, for a battery of tests. Instead, it is an established form of assessment and provides keys to progress across the board within the national educational programme.
Taking part in NAPLAN is a win-win situation for all the key players in the education system.
If your child requires some additional support for NAPLAN may it be in-home or online, we're here to help! Visit https://tutor2you.com.au/ to book a free consultation with our trained & certified NAPLAN tutors today.
