State seeks review of NAPLAN

QUEENSLAND is leading a revolt against NAPLAN, and new Education Minister Grace Grace is demanding a federal review of the numeracy and literacy testing regime.

Putting the state forward to spearhead an examination of the yearly testing of students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, Ms Grace said a review was needed to “understand the impact NAPLAN is having on teaching and learning in Queensland”.

“We have been using NAPLAN for 10 years, and it’s timely that we review it,” she said. “I want to make sure that teachers have time to teach the full curriculum, the right information is used for the right purposes, and any unintended consequences are recognised and addressed.”

“I am keen to look at the research and closely examine NAPLAN in the Queensland context.”

It comes as results in some areas of the NAPLAN testing have stagnated, and amid an escalating campaign by the Queensland Teachers’ Union to disband it after successfully scuttling the rollout of compulsory online NAPLAN testing this year.