Review ordered into use of NAPLAN information
A review has been ordered into how NAPLAN results are presented after claims that it leads to school ‘league tables’.
A review has been ordered into how NAPLAN results are presented after claims that listings on the My School website lead to “league tables” ranking schools.
Education ministers yesterday resolved to review the way data from the tests was shared with parents and used by teachers, but a push for a broader rethink of the national literacy and numeracy testing was defeated.
The review, to initially report in December, will look at whether there is “misinterpretation and misuse” of data. It will also examine how teachers and school leaders use the data to guide teaching practice, and how it is communicated to students and parents.
However, a push by some jurisdictions for a broader revamp of the testing regimen failed at the meeting in Adelaide, with claims the Turnbull government “vetoed” this wider rethink. Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham rejected this.
The Australian understands the ACT and Queensland were the only jurisdictions able to agree on the terms of a wider review.
Senator Birmingham called on the teachers’ union and some politicians to end their “scare campaign” about the National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy.
“Some states are just completely beholden to the unions and were doing their bidding today and the unions simply don’t want that type of transparent, consistent assessment of literacy and numeracy skills,” he said. “The Turnbull government does. We remain committed to it and that’s why we stood our ground.”
He dismissed complaints that the test put too much pressure on children and distorted teaching.
Labor education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek this week backed calls by some states for a broader review, saying the tests had become “very high stakes”.
ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry pushed for a broader review: “I’ve long held concerns about the reporting and culture around NAPLAN and the league tables enabled by My School.”
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A lurch towards activism and a focus on funding have desecrated our universities. They should once again become safe spaces – for the getting of wisdom.