Students of Australia in third, fifth, seventh, and ninth grades take NAPLAN, the National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy. Both students and parents experience unnecessary anxiety even though this is a more accessible river to cross. Reading, writing, language, and numeracy tests will be administered to students in these grades. The NAPLAN evaluation is coordinated equally by the government and the non-government entities. NAPLAN tests are proactively improved and made helpful for students by both sectors. Here are a few fundamental changes you should know about if you are a parent or student worried about the NAPLAN assessment.
Important changes to NAPLAN
Through changes to the curriculum and assessments of student progress, education ministers regularly look for opportunities to improve our education system in Australia. A few of those changes are;
1. Term 1 of 2023 will be the new time for the NAPLAN tests, which were previously held in Term 2. It has always been held in the second week of May, but will now be in mid-March.
2. Year 6 and 10 NAP Sample assessments, which are held every three years for a selected group of students only, will also be moved from October to Term Two in 2023.
3. If schools choose to participate in these NAP sample assessments, they will be able to do so annually. During the next three years, these new optional tests will be implemented: Science in 2024, Civics and Citizenship in 2025, and Digital Literacy in 2026.
4. School representatives will receive the results of these additional opt-in assessments, but they will not be disclosed publicly.
Why is NAPLAN important?
If you are serious about helping your students and children succeed academically, you should implement the NAPLAN practice online. Rather than focusing on passing or failing, assessments evaluate the skills and knowledge of students and help them identify the right strategies for achieving their goals. The teacher can determine what the student struggles with if, for example, they are underperforming in numeracy and can use techniques to help the student succeed. Parents and teachers can coordinate for a more manageable and less overwhelming experience for the children.
Additionally, it is an opportunity for the teacher to evaluate their teaching methods and pedagogy and to make any necessary adjustments. It is required to innovate and make changes. The NAPLAN test reveals many things. Revising pedagogy each year can bring about effective and cumulative changes in teaching methods. There is a possibility that what worked two years ago might not work now. Additionally, every student has a different learning style. There is no point in taking a generic approach. Using the NAPLAN assessment, you can reformulate and comprehend all these.
How to Prepare Well for the NAPLAN Assessment
1. Ensure that students are well trained
Reading passages from various works is an excellent way to train your students. It doesn't matter if it's prose, poetry, or theatre. Prepare multiple-choice questions and have them read and answer them. You should give them a time schedule and ensure they complete it within that time frame. Have them interpret different types of texts for you by getting them familiar with the different types of texts. The more often they do this, the faster and more efficiently they will be able to complete it.
2. Encourage them to write
Each day, ask them to write an excerpt and evaluate how they have built their words and structured their sentences in their writing. The subjects that they write about should be different from one another. Make sure you check the grammar and correct it as you go. You should inform them of the requirements for achieving a high score and give them constructive feedback.
3. Maths should be their friend.
Many people struggle with numeracy. Provide them with assistance in overcoming this challenge. You should start them with simple problems and introduce them to more complex concepts such as algebra and trigonometry over time. Learn about their pain points and help them overcome them by getting them interested in the subject.
Wrapping Up
Student success relies on NAPLAN. There is no doubt that it is not an easy task. It is essential that students are well-trained and motivated. When preparing for the NAPLAN practice online, parents and teachers should collaborate, providing support and encouragement.