National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy
In 2008, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) commenced in Australian schools.
Each year, students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are assessed using national tests in Reading, Writing, Language Conventions (Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation) and Numeracy.
The data from NAPLAN is therefore comparable nationally and allows the monitoring of progress over time.
The assessments are developed by experts and reflect the core elements of the curriculum used in the different states and territories.
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority is currently developing a new national curriculum to be implemented from 2011.
For a more detailed overview of national testing at Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in Australia, please visit the NAPLAN website.
On Thursday October 13 2011 the Minister for School Education released the Australian Government’s response to the Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee Report on the Administration and Reporting of NAPLAN testing.