NAPLAN test: NT results show small increase in reading

Two year levels have recorded an increase in their NAPLAN results compared with 2008, but the NT is still behind nationally.

PRIMARY school students in the Territory have improved their reading skills, according to the latest NAPLAN test results released today.

Years three and five both posted a gain from 2008 to 2021, with other year levels remaining stable.

The mean score for year three was 367.7, up almost 20 per cent from 2008’s score of 306.6.

For year five the mean score was 436.7, representing an 8 per cent climb from 405.1 in 2008.

But compared to the rest of the country, the NT’s NAPLAN results remain significantly lower once again.

The comparative rate across the board for all year levels in all sections recorded a loss, with the average mean scores at least 20 points below the next lowest state.

It was also the lowest participation rate in the NT since 2008, with 82.6 per cent sitting the reading test and 81.4 per cent completing the numeracy section for year threes.

“These positive results for Year 3 and 5 are reflective of the continued investment in the early years, with more Northern Territory children having access to quality early childhood education in the years before they commence school,” a Department of Education spokesperson said.

“It is important to acknowledge that the Northern Territory context is unique, with a broad spectrum of challenges for many of our students in being able to effectively engage in education.”

The government said actions would be taken to improve some of the areas where the Territory was lacking.

“These results also tell us that we need to do more to support our students in their learning of numeracy, and the department is already putting steps in place to support that. This is why NAPLAN is here,” the spokesperson said.

“With this being said, we know that there is room for improvement — we are up for it and we are using evidence, school improvement and policy to continue to drive the positive trajectory in student results.”

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority chief executive David de Carvalho said the results reaffirmed the notion that disruptions to schooling in 2020 had no real impact.

“The NAPLAN results for 2021 indicate that when compared with 2019 – the last NAPLAN taken pre-Covid – achievement in numeracy, reading and writing remained largely stable at a national level for all students,” he said.

Mr de Carvalho said it was a positive sign to see Indigenous students score increases.

Originally published as NAPLAN test: NT results show small increase in reading