Parent bodies support maligned NAPLAN tests

The NAPLAN test is a ‘useful’ education tool that attracts ‘unnecessary angst’, parent bodies say.

The NAPLAN test is a “useful” education tool that attracts “unnecessary angst”, according to three leading parents’ organisations who support the maligned assessment regime.

As pressure builds for a ­review of the standardised literacy and numeracy test, which students will sit next month, the Australian Council of State School Organisations, the Australian Parents Council and the Isolated Children’s Parents Association issued a rare joint statement yesterday to defend the program.

“We support the useful role NAPLAN plays in the education of children,” the statement said.

“NAPLAN is an objective tool for parents that provides a point-in-time assessment — a snapshot of a student’s literacy and numeracy achievement compared with class, school and ­national achievement.

“Our role is to encourage families to keep the NAPLAN assessment in perspective — as a point-in-time assessment that, in conjunction with school-based tests and other information, contributes to the partnership ­between home and school.”

Teacher unions have ­renewed their campaign against NAPLAN, which, according to Australian Education Union president Correna Haythorpe, “places unnecessary pressure on our children, their families and teachers and does not take into account the high quality, broad curriculum and learning experience that our schools provide”.

A recent report by US ­education expert Les Perelman described the writing component of NAPLAN as “bizarre”.