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National Assessment Program

NAPLAN student achievement reports to be amended
A data processing error has affected about 4000 NT students’ NAPLAN results in Grammar and Punctuation and/or Reading and the averages of their schools that were provided in the individual student report. No student has been disadvantaged by the error – those affected will see a minor positive increase in their test scores. The affected schools will see a slight rise in their average test scores. The information reported nationally on the My School website is not affected by this error. DECS has implemented measures to ensure such an error does not occur again. A fact sheet (pdf 56 kb) is available for further information.

The National Assessment Program (NAP) measures and monitors student achievement against national and international standards. The program includes the tests listed below.

National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)

Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 across Australia sit common tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The results from this assessment provide an important measure of how all Australian students are performing in literacy and numeracy against national achievement bands.

The NAPLAN tests will be held on Tuesday 14 May to Friday 17 May 2013 (Term 2, Week 5).

Future NAPLAN testing dates (pdf 16 kb)

NAPLAN information for schools contains resources to support the entire NAPLAN process including preparation materials, past tests, writing materials and administration information.

NAPLAN information for parents contains details about the NAPLAN process including past tests, reporting information and a link to the ACARA website.

NAPLAN results and RAAD

The 2012 national student achievement information will be made available on 15 September 2012.

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) provides comprehensive information about national and student reporting of NAPLAN results.

The Reporting and Analysing Achievement Data (RAAD) tool provides schools with student performance information measured through the NAPLAN.

2012 NAPLAN student data files and the RAAD program will be placed on school servers 15-16 September. Non-government school files will be sent out separately.

Note:  the 2011 RAAD.exe program is needed to open the 2008-11 student files.

Further analysis of NAPLAN data can be conducted by using

Information and Communication Technology literacy

The ICT Literacy assessment measures and reports on the ability of students to use ICT appropriately to access, manage, integrate and evaluate information, develop new understandings and communicate with others in order to participate effectively in society. A sample of students in Years 6 and 10 in selected schools in all states and territories participate.

The assessment was conducted in October 2011 and the National Report is now available.

The 2011 NAP-ICTL School Release Materials are available on the NAP website. These materials will assist teachers to gauge their students’ proficiency in the ICT Literacy domain. It is anticipated that teachers will be able to reflect on this information to enhance teaching and monitoring ICT Literacy programs in their schools.

The materials available on the website contain three of the 2011 assessment modules used in the main study. These demonstration modules can be viewed either as PowerPoint presentations or as animated videos. The PowerPoint presentations are static screens shots of the assessment tasks and questions in each module. The videos show each module being completed. The responses in the video demonstration are designed to reflect typical rather than ideal student responses and as such do not always show the best possible response to each task. For your quick reference, the links to these can be found on pp 5-6 once you access the website link above.

Science literacy

This national assessment involves a sample of Year 6 students participating in an assessment of scientific literacy. Science literacy measures and reports on the student’s capacity to use scientific knowledge and approaches. The test is a 60-minute pencil and paper section and a 45-minute practical task. This assessment was conducted in 2009 and will occur again in 2012.

Civics and citizenship

A sample of students in Years 6 and 10 in selected schools in all states and territories participate in this assessment. Civics and citizenship measures and reports on civic knowledge and understanding and the skills and values needed for active citizenship. The assessment is a 60-minute pencil and paper test with multiple-choice, short-response and extended-response items. This assessment was conducted in October 2010 and will occur again in 2013.

Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) involves a sample of 15 year-old students participating in an international assessment of Reading, Mathematical and Scientific Literacy. Participation in PISA provides an indicator on how Australia compares with other countries. The last study was carried out in 2009 and will occur again in 2012.

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) involves a sample of students in Years 4 and 8. It allows countries to measure their progress in educational achievement in mathematics and science. This assessment was last conducted in 2010 and will occur again in 2014.

Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS)

The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) is conducted every five years to measure progress in the reading achievement of students in their fourth year of schooling, as well as trends in the associated home and school contexts for learning to read.  A sample of Year 4 students from across Australia participated in this study for the first time in 2010.