Every year in May, students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 across the country take part in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).
NAPLAN was first introduced in 2008 and has become a routine part of the school calendar in Australia. A part of the National Assessment Program (NAP), NAPLAN is how governments, education authorities and schools can determine whether young Australians are reaching important educational goals. It tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling and numeracy. Find more information on NAPLAN on the NAP website.
NAPLAN is currently undergoing a transition from paper-based tests to the computer-based assessments known as 'NAPLAN Online'. Our NAPLAN Online Support Site provides information for parents/carers and CEDoW schools about NAPLAN Online.
NAPLAN Online will provide:
Better assessment and more precise results
NAPLAN Online uses a tailored test or adaptive design, where the test automatically adapts to a student's performance and asks questions that match the student achievement level, allowing the student to demonstrate their knowledge. This provides teachers and schools with more targeted and detailed information on students’ performance on the tests. Tailored testing also provides an opportunity to broaden the scope of the assessments.
Faster turnaround of results
Delivery of assessments online significantly reduces the time it takes to provide feedback to schools, students and parents, so teachers can respond more quickly to learning needs.
More engagement
ACARA research into online assessment has shown that students have engaged well with electronic tests.
Further information for parents and carers:
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NAPLAN Online information brochure for parents and carers (Visit the NAP website to access this information brochure in a variety of languages).
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'Helping students get ready for the NAPLAN tests' information brochure from Michael Grose and Parenting Ideas.
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Understand the benefits of NAPLAN testing in this infographic from NAPLAN and ACARA.
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Understand how to read your child's NAPLAN report from NAPLAN and ACARA.
Go to our NAPLAN Online Support Site