NAPLAN is an annual assessment for all students in Years
3, 5, 7 and 9. NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every
child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling and numeracy. The assessments are undertaken nationwide,
every year, in the second full week in May.
NAPLAN is made up of tests in the four areas (or
‘domains’) of:
·
reading
·
writing
·
language
conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
·
numeracy.
NAPLAN tests skills in literacy and numeracy that are
developed over time through the school curriculum.
You can find an easy to understand infographic that gives
useful information on the NAPLAN tests and their benefits here.
Withdrawals
NAPLAN tests are a regular part of school. But parents can choose to take their student out of the tests by completing a form.
Exemptions
While a range of adjustments are available for students with disability, exemption may be suitable for some students with disability and for some students with a language background other than English. In both cases, staff can discuss the proposed exemption with the student’s parent/carer and gain their permission prior to testing.
English language proficiency:
Students with a language background other than English who arrived from overseas and have been attending school for less than a year before the test may be exempted. However, these students are not automatically exempt and should be given the opportunity to participate in testing. Principals can expect information from test administration authorities on the preferred method for collecting and recording this information. Students may be exempt from one test (e.g. reading) but still be able to participate in another test (e.g. numeracy).
Students with disability:
Adjustments are provided to students with disability to support access to the tests and encourage maximum participation. Students with significant intellectual disability and/or those with significant co-existing conditions which severely limit their capacity to participate in the tests may be exempted from sitting the national tests. This is determined after consultation has occurred between the principal and the relevant parent/carer, and if it is decided the student is not able to access the tests with adjustments. For more information on the types of adjustments available, see Adjustments for students with disability.