The Tasmanian Branch of the AEU joins and the Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations (TASSO), are calling for a review of NAPLAN to be put on the agenda of the Education Council meeting in Adelaide on Friday.

“It is time for a wholesale review of NAPLAN and we urge all Ministers to commit to supporting a full and independent review of NAPLAN at the Education Council meeting,” said Helen Richardson, President of the AEU Tasmanian Branch.

Lisa Gillard, President of the Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations (TASSO) said, “Parents have been calling for a review of NAPLAN at our State Conference for many years. Therefore, we support a call for a review of NAPLAN. NAPLAN has become something more than its original purpose and often uses time and resources which could be better utilized in teaching and learning.”

“NAPLAN is just one test, a snapshot, and on its own provides a narrow and incomplete picture of a student’s education. It can’t measure creativity, critical thinking, engagement or the culture and community of a school. NAPLAN is a stressful process for students, teachers and parents, and the AEU is asking, after 10 years, is NAPLAN testing still worthwhile?

“There has been little change in NAPLAN results over a decade. If there has been no improvement, why are we continuing to subject students to such stressful ‘high stakes’ testing? Students’ results in mathematics and literacy are not improving, and it’s an especially pronounced problem in regional and rural areas, and in lower SES families,” said Ms Richardson.

“As professionals, teachers use a variety of assessment tools to gauge student’s performance and identify the support those students need. The best feedback for improved student learning is targeted and immediate.

“Lifting student outcomes does not mean simply lifting NAPLAN results. If we want to see improved student outcomes, we need to invest additional resources in our schools, so every student is supported to reach their full potential,” said Ms Richardson.

The Education Council meets in Adelaide on Friday.
Molly Frankham, AEU Communications, Australian Education Union Tasmanian Branch