“Dire outcomes” revealed: NAPLAN turns ten

Literacy and numeracy rates in Tasmanian students are low and declining dramatically, a damning report analysing a decade of the state’s NAPLAN results shows. FULL REPORT >>

LITERACY and numeracy rates in Tasmanian students are low and declining dramatically, a report analysing a decade of the state’s NAPLAN results shows.

Workforce demographer and quantitative researcher Dr Lisa Denny, who released the report on Monday, has called for the state government to address the “dire outcomes the analysis has revealed” and increase teaching resourcing, professional learning and additional support for students most in need.

The “concerning” year nine NAPLAN tests were of particular interest to Dr Denny, as she said these were strong predictors of year 11 and 12 performance.

“For the 2021 year nine cohort, 28.5 per cent could not read above the level expected to engage in the wider curriculum, 41.5 per cent could not express themselves in written form and 23.4 per cent were not numerate,” she said.

Dr Lisa Denny is a Tasmanian demographer / researcher with the University of Tasmania. PIC: MATT THOMPSON

The report also indicated that literacy and numeracy skills started to decline from grade three and continued throughout schooling, highlighting a need for specific focus in this area.

“It is critical that this trend is arrested immediately and that subsequent generations are supported throughout their schooling to not only achieve the expected standard in literacy and numeracy skills but to engage widely in learning, successfully complete their schooling and have the opportunity to pursue further education and training or work.”

Dr Denny, who is also a member of the Tasmanian #100percentliteracy Alliance and a UTAS Institute of Social Change associate professor, was concerned for some of the implications the NAPLAN results may have on future workplaces and wider society.

“Low literary and numeracy affects the type of jobs we can offer in Tasmania, the industry investment we can attract, support and sustain, our productivity potential, and the level and distribution of public revenue for critical health, education and social services,” she said.

Acting Minister for Education Jeremy Rockliff thanked Dr Denny for her ongoing contributions and acknowledged the government had more work to be done.

He said among the methods to address these areas were investing a record $8 billion into education, skills and training, the employment of 40 additional literacy coaches this year, last year’s establishment of an expert literacy advisory panel and the ongoing access for all schools and colleges to a quality teaching coach to support educators.

“We also set an ambitious target for government schools, that by 2029 all students will be able to read about the NAPLAN national minimum standard before they enter year seven,” Mr Rockliff said.

Premier Peter Gutwein said the socio-economic circumstances of the 2011 cohort of students may have also been different to the 2021 cohort, and this should be taken into context.

Australian Education Union Tasmanian president David Genford supported the call from Dr Denny for extra classroom support as this is a “long-term investment for the whole community”.

“Our main priorities are in class support and professional support and a study like this backs up this need, to ensure that all students have a chance to reach their potential,” he said.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said priority investment was needed to lift all public schools to “acceptable standards”.

“…just real investment in disadvantaged communities and students who are struggling, speech pathology and school psychologist support, as well as an expanded school breakfast program,” she said.

Shadow Education Minister Josh Willie said the report shows the Tasmanian education system produces considerably lower levels of educational attainment than other states.