Media release – Sarah Courtney, Minister for Education, 25 August 2021
NAPLAN 2021 data released
The Tasmanian Liberal Government has a strong focus on improving education outcomes for all students which is reflected in the recent NAPLAN 2021 results released today.
The results show that COVID-19 has had no significant impact on overall student literacy and numeracy results for Tasmania, despite disruptions due to the pandemic.
NAPLAN was successfully delivered to around 26,000 Tasmanian students across all educational sectors over two weeks in May 2021, following the cancellation of tests in 2020 due to COVID-19.
Tasmania’s 2021 results are statistically comparable to 2019 achievement and show that Tasmania is building on improvements seen in recent years with long-term gains for:
*Year 3 and Year 5 in Reading
*Year 3 Writing
*Year 5 Spelling
*Year 5 Numeracy
Tasmania’s results in Reading at all year levels indicate that this is one of our strongest domains.
The final release of NAPLAN results occurs in December and will provide more detail at a state and territory level.
We have set a target for Government schools, that by 2029 all students will be able to read about the NAPLAN national minimum standard before they enter Year 7.
The Progressive Achievement Test is being used throughout primary schools to track and measure student progress towards the achievement of this target.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is ensuring that Tasmanian children have the best possible start to allow them to lead happy, healthy and active lives.
We want every child and young person to be able to grasp the opportunities open to them, in our state and beyond, regardless of circumstance or background.
Media release – Josh Willie MLC, Shadow Education Minister, 25 August 2021
Gutwein Government bottom of the class
Tasmania’s hardworking teachers are under extraordinary pressure and can only work within government policy settings.
Shadow Education Minister Josh Willie said after seven years of failures, Peter Gutwein not only attempted to avoid this year’s NAPLAN results, but has broken a crucial education promise.
“In the lead up to the 2018 election, the Liberal Party pledged that by 2020, Tasmanian students would be at or above the national average in reading, writing and maths,” Mr Willie said.
“Yet in 2021 our results are the worst of any state across every age group in reading, the second worst in every age group in writing, the worst in every age group in spelling, the worst in every age group in grammar and punctuation and the worst in years 5,7 and 9 in numeracy.
“The Government have broken their promise to Tasmanians and after seven years as Treasurer, Peter Gutwein has no idea how to improve the education system.
“Whilst acknowledging that NAPLAN is a snapshot in time and could still be improved, it is an agreed national assessment and the results can’t be ignored.”
Mr Willie said while all other state governments were talking results this morning, Peter Gutwein had chosen avoid it, with Education Minister Sarah Courtney only making comment once questioned in Parliament.
“Peter Gutwein and Education Minister Courtney know the government is failing Tasmanian students, they know these results are not good enough and they know they have broken a key 2018 election promise.
“Tasmanian economist Saul Eslake said fixing Tasmania’s underperforming education system is the only way for Tasmania to grasp the opportunities presently before us.
“What is the government going to do to support our students to ensure results improve? What are they doing to support teachers and school staff? It is clear their current plan is not working.”
Read more NAPLAN results here.
