Opinion

NAPLAN is a measure of wealth, not student ability

This year’s assessment results confirm what we already know – rich kids do well, poor kids don’t. This is to our national shame.

Julie HareEducation editor

Aug 14, 2024 – 1.00am

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The noble idea that NAPLAN is used to lift the academic performance of children struggling in school has been well and truly smashed, again.

What this year’s National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy scores affirm, as in each of the previous 15 iterations, is that the circumstances of a child’s birth is the clearest predictor of how well they will do.

Julie Hare is the Education editor. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a writer, journalist and editor. Connect with Julie on Twitter. Email Julie at julie.hare@afr.com