Mrs Jones has written a thought provoking blog regarding NAPLAN.
There are countless articles written about the testing process each year. It seems everyone has an opinion on the process. Here is a link to one article I found recently.
As it happens, I recently had a great discussion with a very talented and dedicated Teaching and Learning Curriculum Adviser at an all girls private school.
I questioned the validity of NAPLAN, the use of the data and the stress on the students amongst other things.
One valuable asset that NAPLAN has given this school is the ability to target weaknesses in certain learning areas. Two years ago, the results across the school showed a general weakness in spelling across the tested year levels. From this information, a new spelling programme was sourced and introduced in an attempt to give a broader and more valuable approach to spelling across the entire school. This programme targets specific areas of spelling and can be utilised from prep to Year 7, giving a consistent and thorough approach to students throughout their primary education.
Last year, the results showed a general but concerning weakness in the area of problem solving. This is an area many teachers and parents comment on. I believe that with our children living in and growing up in a digital world, the ability to ‘problem solve’ appears to be a lost skill. This year, the school has introduced a new problem solving strategy plan across all year levels with some amazing results. The really exciting factor for this inclusion is the skills are now transferring across other areas in the curriculum and teachers are seeing the students use the skills in English and Science activities. They are also using the language associated with problem solving when completing tasks in other KLA’s.
So, even though in principal I disagree with NAPLAN and they way some schools use the data collected, I do like the fact that there are opportunities to use the information collected from these assessments for good not evil. By putting plans in place to improve the learning opportunities and outcomes for students in the areas most needed, NAPLAN is achieving something positive.