2016 NAPLAN results show maths, literacy skills flatline

CHILDREN’S literacy and numeracy skills have stagnated, NAPLAN results show — rounding out a trio of damning reports on Australian education.

Final NAPLAN results for 2016 show Australian students’ maths and literacy skills have stagnated.

AUSTRALIAN children’s literacy and numeracy skills have stagnated in recent years, according to the latest NAPLAN results.

The final 2016 National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy results, released today, round out a trio of damning report cards for education in Australia in the past few weeks.

Recent results will no doubt be discussed when state and federal education ministers meet on Friday to discuss a new deal on school funding, expected to be finalised in the first half of next year and start from 2018.

The Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority shows the results of students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 have improved since NAPLAN testing began in 2008 and there are good results in some year levels in some states and territories.

But chief executive Robert Randall said with no significant improvements across the board in recent years, Australia should expect more for its children.

“We need to raise our expectations and strive for improved results across the board,” he said.

“As we have also seen recently with Australia’s performance in international assessments, there is broad scope for improvement in achievement.”

Education Minister Simon Birmingham says the NAPLAN results confirm the need for action to boost student outcomes, not more funding. Picture: Mick Tsikas.

The final report, which is largely similar to August’s preliminary results, comes on the heels of two international studies showing Australia lagging behind in maths and science education.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham said the cumulative results show Australia has a strong school system but needs to make sure funding is being spent on things proven to lift results.

“Australia cannot afford to follow the status quo in schooling,” he said.

“We need to move the conversation on from just how much is being spent in schools to focus on how our record funding can best be used for the benefit of students.”

Shadow Education Minister Tanya Plibersek says more funding is needed to aid disadvantaged students. Picture: Kym Smith.

Labor education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek said the trio of reports released over the past few weeks show disadvantaged children are still struggling at school, making it vital that governments boost funding to poorer schools.

Despite the overall gloomy picture, the NAPLAN results do show that since 2008 there have been significant cumulative gains made by indigenous students.

The Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia said this was encouraging, although there was still a large gap between the achievements of indigenous and non-indigenous students.

This year’s results show Years 3 and 5 were generally better at reading than in 2008 but there had been no improvement from 2015.

Year 3s had improved in spelling, grammar and punctuation since 2008 but had shown no improvement from last year.

Year 5 numeracy results had not improved in the past year but were better than 2008.

But Year 9 writing results had declined since 2011.

WA and Queensland made higher gains than other jurisdictions but the ACT, NSW and Victoria still have the highest average achievement in Years 3, 5 and 7.

Originally published as 2016 NAPLAN results show maths, literacy skills flatline