Online NAPLAN test trial dumped weeks before exams

A TRIAL of online NAPLAN testing has been dumped just weeks from the exams after concerns over technical faults and poor internet connections.

Glen Eira College, with students Vishal Shanmugam and Georgia Wood-Freeman, was among schools set to trial online NAPLAN tests. Picture: Sarah Matray

A TRIAL of online NAPLAN testing has been dumped just weeks from the exams over concerns about technical faults.

Victoria is among five states and territories to delay the trial, after Queensland and South Australia withdrew earlier this month.

All students in grades 3, 5, 7 and 9 will now sit paper tests from May 9 to 11.

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Victorian Education Minister James Merlino said he was not confident the online trial would give all students and schools “a positive experience”.

“The last thing we want is students being unable to demonstrate their numeracy and literacy skills because of technological faults,” he said.

“While we firmly believe in the benefits of NAPLAN Online; I will not put Victorian students in a situation that could compromise their results.”

Ten per cent of Australian schools were set to trial the online test from May 9 to 19, as part of a three-year rollout.

But it had been plagued by concerns about power failures and bad internet connections, as well as whether the online format would disadvantage students with less computer experience.

Literacy expert Louise Park previously told the Herald Sun that the online format could boost wealthy or well-resourced schools.

“I’m worried that private schools — and well-equipped public schools — might do really well because the students have been using computers and tablets every day, whereas students in other schools haven’t,” Ms Park said.

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The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority said the trial had been delayed to “gain a greater level of confidence for the move online”.

“The National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy must continue to provide all

students with a fair opportunity to demonstrate their achievement in literacy and numeracy,” chief executive Robert Randall said.

“Preparation for the move online will continue this year, with schools able to participate in a

practice of the technology, or a ‘readiness test’, in August and September.”

Mr Randall said all states were still committed to having the NAPLAN tests online by 2019.

@moniquehore