Discrepancies between online and paper NAPLAN tests

QUEENSLAND’S Education Minister says concerns over the comparability of NAPLAN test results between students who took the exams online and those who used traditional pen and paper vindicates the state’s call for a national review.

QUEENSLAND’S education minister says concerns over the comparability of NAPLAN test results between students who took the exams online with those who used traditional pen and paper vindicates the state’s call for a national review.

Grace Grace says Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham needs to assess NAPLAN nationwide to ensure public confidence in the testing procedure.

“My understanding is there are some concerns regarding the preliminary NAPLAN online results, particularly in relation to the comparability of data,” she said.

“We believe after 10 years, before we move to fully implement NAPLAN online by 2020, that a comprehensive national review should be undertaken to ensure that NAPLAN is meeting its original objectives,” Ms Grace said on Wednesday.

Her comments come as the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority claimed its data analysts had confirmed the online tests can be compared with paper ones, after The Courier-Mail reported Education Department bosses from across the country would meet in Canberra on Wednesday to discuss concerns about the difficulties in comparing the two sets of data.

“As this is the first year of online assessment extra attention has been given to reviewing the data and ensuring it is comparable with previous years and between online and paper test modes,” ACARA said.

The Australian Education Union earlier today labelled discrepancies with comparing written and online NAPLAN tests results a “disaster”.

Repeating calls for the online tests to be scrapped, AEC boss Correna Haythorpe also claimed

the Australian Education Union claims Education Minister Simon Birmingham was repeatedly warned results from different NAPLAN test formats could not be compared and that scores could be delayed up to five weeks.

“NAPLAN online is fundamentally flawed and must not be implemented,” she said.

ACARA rejected suggestions of a delay, saying the results are “on track” to be released soon.

The annual literacy and numeracy test for students across the country in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will transition from a paper-based test to an online exam over the next three years, with nearly one in five students across the country taking the test via computer this year.

The online NAPLAN exam adapts questions asked based on the answers given, becoming increasingly more difficult if a student demonstrates a high level of aptitude.

Education sources have revealed this format makes comparisons between students, schools and even states difficult.

But a spokeswoman for ACARA last night said the ­curriculum authority has not decided the results are incompatible and would be releasing the 2018 data soon.

Queensland’s participation in the online test was the lowest in the country, because of concerns voiced by the state Labor Government, and a boycott by the teachers’ union.