Tasmania’s latest NAPLAN results show the state’s performance is below average

Tasmania’s literacy and numeracy rates are steadily falling behind the national average according to the latest NAPLAN results. But how much can we trust the result, considering some mainland states are banding together to scrap the controversial testing?

LATEST NAPLAN results show Tasmania’s literacy and numeracy rates are falling behind the rest of the country, but there is no need for the state to push for the proposed review of the controversial performance measure, Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff says.

Victoria, NSW and Queensland have agreed to band together and conduct their own review of the tests after a national review was knocked back at a meeting of education ministers last week.

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said alternatives to NAPLAN should be considered and it was time to design a “genuinely useful” test.

But Mr Rockliff said NAPLAN, which through its latest report revealed Tasmanian students were below the national average in most grades tested, was an important tool.

“While it’s always important to have ongoing evaluation to drive continuous improvement in NAPLAN, we do not support a comprehensive review,” he said.

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“Assessments like NAPLAN are important because we need some form of benchmarking, to drive improvement and accountability in education.”

Mr Rockliff said NAPLAN was a good way for Tasmania to compare its performance to how other states were faring and said calls for a review were premature.

“Tasmania does not consider it a good use of resources to undertake a comprehensive review of NAPLAN at this time, given that all jurisdictions have not had the benefit of moving 100-per-cent online, and two reviews have already been commissioned.”

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Labor education spokesman Josh Willie said although two reviews of NAPLAN are now current, they are too narrow focusing only on the way data is reported and NAPLAN online.

He said a more comprehensive investigation was required after a decade of debate on standardised testing with little improvement as a result.

“This year’s testing debacle, where students were hampered by technological issues in Tasmania and across the country, is just the tip of the iceberg,” he said.

“In its current form, NAPLAN is a high stakes test that is causing considerable stress and anxiety to young people but offering little in terms of educational improvement.

“Minister Rockliff should reconsider his decision.”

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