Editorial: NAPLAN only useful if it makes us better

The latest NAPLAN results will make for concerning reading for some Queensland parents.

THE latest NAPLAN results will make for concerning reading for some Queensland parents.

But there are mixed results in the 2019 preliminary scores, with some bright spots that deserve to be celebrated.

It is encouraging that the state’s raw scores have improved over the past decade.

Discounting differences between tests or cohorts of students from year to year, there has been a clear upward trajectory in 17 out of 20 categories assessed by the tests.

That in itself suggests the tests could be working by helping schools focus on areas that need improvement.

It also suggests a long-term improvement in students’ abilities across the board.

But there is still plenty of scope for better results in Queensland, particularly when compared to other states.

As The Courier-Mail reveals today, Queensland students this year scored lower than the national average at every year level and in every subject.

The tests could be working by helping schools focus on areas that need improvement.

There are particularly worrying results for Year 9 students in reading and writing scores.

Even worse, almost a quarter of Queensland’s Year 9 students failed to meet the national minimum standard for writing.

Across every subject and every year, Queensland students trailed behind their peers in New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.

However, there are also areas of improvement, including in writing, when tracked over the past decade.

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority chief David de Carvalho is right to say improvements in writing results showed a concerted effort by schools was paying off.

While there are areas of concern, the results should not be used to discourage students or disparage teachers.

The release of the data is likely to revive the debate about the merits of NAPLAN testing.

Some parents and teachers claim the tests are too stressful for young children and can lead to counter-productive teaching methods. The comparative nature of the results could provide schools with an incentive to teach to the tests instead of providing more rounded education.

Queensland has already conducted a review of the standardised tests, which are unpopular with many teachers. The state is now taking part in another review with NSW and Victoria.

There is certainly merit in assessing the tests and looking for improvements.

Teachers’ concerns about the roll out of online testing and accuracy of comparisons should be taken seriously.

But NAPLAN is the best way we currently have of comparing schools and students across the country in a meaningful way.

The tests in themselves do little to ensure standards of students improve.

For that, schools must direct attention to problem areas. Parents must also take responsibility for encouraging their children to apply themselves to their schoolwork.

We must also look for ways to lure more talented graduates into teaching and to retain the best that we have.

To lift teaching standards it is also is also crucial that we treat the profession with respect.

A job in the classroom should be seen as an aspiration of the best and brightest graduates.

PROTECT OUR PRISON GUARDS

PRISON officers play an important part in our criminal justice system, guarding inmates and ensuring jails run smoothly.

They do a difficult and dangerous job but that should not mean they must accept the risk of being assaulted at work.

Reports of a spike in assaults by prison inmates on officers must be taken extremely seriously, with every effort made to stop the attacks.

Queensland Corrective Services must take action after reports that 23 attacks have now taken place in the state’s jails since prison guard Greg Sands was assaulted and almost killed in December last year.

As revealed in today’s Courier-Mail, one prison officer was allegedly assaulted at Woodford Correctional Centre on Friday and another was hospitalised after a disturbance at Wolston Correctional Centre on the weekend.

This disturbing rate of assaults appears to add weight to complaints about overcrowding in the state’s prisons heard by the Crime and Corruption Commission’s Taskforce Flaxton last year.

While a QCS recruitment drive could help address the problem by ensuring jails are adequately staffed, it would be a sad irony if potential guards were discouraged from applying because of fears for their safety.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Sam Weir, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details are available at www.couriermail.com.au/help/contact-us