Writing skills at record low, with many year 9 students at a primary school level

In an era of accelerating technological advancements – including the rapid evolution of AI, and the fleeting, transitory nature of thought and communication – the ancient act of writing remains one of the most powerful skills we have to shape thought, build understanding, sharpen reasoning, and express ourselves meaningfully as human beings.

However, the release of the Australian Education Research Organisation’s (AERO) decade-long NAPLAN study has revealed a troubling reality – Australian children’s writing skills are at a record low, with many year 9 students performing at a primary school level.

Few practices sharpen writing skills more effectively than the simple act of putting pen to paper.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

Writing is an essential life skill for all, but it is especially crucial for children as they develop the tools needed to navigate challenges, articulate their thoughts clearly, and shape a purposeful, fulfilling life.

Its importance lies not merely in communication, but in cognition. Structured writing reflects synthesised, deliberate thought and is essential for deep learning and the cognitive benefits of interleaving – where knowledge is continuously connected, reinforced, and refined over time, most importantly as output and not just input.

Writing is a foundational and essential mental process that constructs, organises, and reveals the development and sophistication of our thinking. If our children cannot write at an appropriate level, we are limiting their ability to think critically, solve problems, and engage meaningfully in learning.

In a commendable response to the issue, AERO has launched the School Writing Instruction Framework (SWIF), a professional learning program designed to support explicit and systematic teaching of writing across all subject areas.

Handwriting supports brain plasticity and may even delay cognitive decline in older age.

This renewed call to prioritise writing is a vital reminder of its enduring importance in learning and life. In an overcrowded curriculum, where competing demands pull schools in many directions, a deliberate reset that centres on writing is not only innovative but also transformative.

But it’s not AERO’s job alone. The NAPLAN analysis is a wake-up call for all of us to support our young people – to help them develop strong writing skills so they can think clearly, communicate authentically, and face the complexities of the world with confidence and agency.

Few practices sharpen writing skills more effectively than the simple act of putting pen to paper. The act of writing by hand engages multiple areas of the brain from the motor and visual cortices to the hippocampus and Broca’s area.

Handwriting demands far more cognitive processes than typing, as it requires co-ordination of fine motor skills, focus and memory. The physical motion of forming letters activates kinaesthetic learning and aids information retention, something typing cannot replicate to the same degree.

For this reason, the shift to an online writing platform for year 5 and year 9 in NAPLAN must also be considered when interpreting the decline in results, as changes to the assessment conditions inevitably influence student performance. The year 3 test is still handwritten.

Studies have also shown that students who take handwritten notes retain more conceptual understanding than those who type verbatim. Additionally, the benefits of cursive writing facilitate the integration of sensation, movement and cognition at a faster speed.

Handwriting supports brain plasticity and may even delay cognitive decline in older age. Writing matters on so many levels, it’s a lifelong skill, but it does not come naturally or easily and must be taught, explicitly.

By integrating writing instruction across all subjects in schools and fostering supportive writing practices at home, we can reverse the current decline in writing proficiency and establish a strong foundation for future success.

This collaborative approach will equip students with the essential skills to think critically, communicate effectively, and be thoughtful citizens who are capable of navigating our modern world.

Importantly, adults too stand to benefit – writing sharpens thinking, boosts memory, and keeps the mind agile at every age.

Lorna Beegan is the principal of Strathcona Girls Grammar.

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