1 00:00:14,166 --> 00:00:21,899 In May each year, all Australian school students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 across the country 2 00:00:21,900 --> 00:00:27,100 undertake the same tests in reading,writing, language conventions and numeracy. 3 00:00:27,100 --> 00:00:31,100 The National Assessment Program, Literacy and Numeracy, 4 00:00:31,100 --> 00:00:35,100 provides a truly accurate national picture of how Australian school students 5 00:00:35,100 --> 00:00:39,100 are performing in essential literacy and numeracy skills. 6 00:00:39,100 --> 00:00:44,466 This is fundamental to helping all Australian children reach their full potential. 7 00:00:45,666 --> 00:00:49,899 The NAPLAN tests provide information for parents, teachers and schools 8 00:00:49,900 --> 00:00:52,366 on individual student performance. 9 00:00:53,133 --> 00:00:57,199 From this, teachers and schools know how well their students are performing 10 00:00:57,200 --> 00:00:59,766 compared with other children across Australia, 11 00:01:00,700 --> 00:01:05,066 and, if there are areas where a child needs support and further assistance. 12 00:01:05,066 --> 00:01:08,366 We are also able to see how each state and territory 13 00:01:08,366 --> 00:01:11,299 compares against a common assessment scale. 14 00:01:11,533 --> 00:01:16,233 This scale provides a national picture for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, 15 00:01:16,500 --> 00:01:18,966 showing the full range of student achievement. 16 00:01:19,433 --> 00:01:24,299 The results from the national testing also give Australian Education Ministers 17 00:01:24,700 --> 00:01:27,333 the information they need to provide greater support 18 00:01:27,333 --> 00:01:30,866 to schools and students in specific areas or years. 19 00:01:33,233 --> 00:01:37,233 Each child's achievement is measured against a common assessment scale 20 00:01:37,233 --> 00:01:40,399 that continues from Year 3 right through to Year 9 21 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:45,066 rather than a separate scale for each year, making it easier for parents and teachers 22 00:01:45,066 --> 00:01:46,599 to identify improvement. 23 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:52,833 It is important to note that each of the areas tested is divided into a series of ten Bands. 24 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:58,066 A national minimum standard has been set for each year level and each area tested. 25 00:01:58,066 --> 00:02:02,299 For example, the minimum standard for Year 3 is Band 2. 26 00:02:02,300 --> 00:02:07,033 As students progress year by year, they will be tested for ability in subject areas 27 00:02:07,033 --> 00:02:08,599 against the common scale. 28 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:12,600 The results of the testing place a child's performance in a specific band 29 00:02:12,600 --> 00:02:17,600 which is either below, at or above the minimum standard for his or her year level. 30 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:23,366 This means that as each child advances through school, parents can monitor their child's progress 31 00:02:23,366 --> 00:02:26,766 in literacy and numeracy over a period of time 32 00:02:26,766 --> 00:02:29,599 and provide support and encouragement where needed. 33 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:34,400 For the individual child, this assessment can be very useful. 34 00:02:34,966 --> 00:02:38,099 Parents receive a report which shows the national average, 35 00:02:38,100 --> 00:02:43,000 the range for the middle sixty percent of students, the national minimum standard 36 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:45,100 and how their child is performing. 37 00:02:46,133 --> 00:02:49,366 It is important, however, that parents consider these results 38 00:02:49,366 --> 00:02:52,632 together with other school based assessments and reports. 39 00:02:53,066 --> 00:02:57,066 As mentioned, all of this is measured against the Common Assessment Scale 40 00:02:57,066 --> 00:02:59,066 from Band 1 to Band 10. 41 00:02:59,900 --> 00:03:03,466 Some states and territories will also provide the school average. 42 00:03:05,066 --> 00:03:08,732 The report sent to parents gives a summary of the skills assessed 43 00:03:08,733 --> 00:03:11,066 and contains a range of supporting information, 44 00:03:11,066 --> 00:03:13,566 including an overview of the testing program. 45 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:19,466 Let's have a look at an example of an individual report for a Year 7 student, Jessica. 46 00:03:19,466 --> 00:03:24,566 The Year 7 report starts at Band 4, with the top level being Band 9. 47 00:03:24,566 --> 00:03:28,332 In this example, the arrow shows the national average. 48 00:03:28,333 --> 00:03:33,933 The light blue shaded area shows where sixty percent of Australian students are currently performing. 49 00:03:33,933 --> 00:03:37,133 Now, let's look at Jessica's actual results. 50 00:03:37,133 --> 00:03:43,766 As you can see, Jessica has performed well in reading, achieving a result above the national minumum standard. 51 00:03:43,766 --> 00:03:46,632 Writing is also reasonably strong. 52 00:03:46,633 --> 00:03:51,099 However, her results in spelling, grammar and punctuation are not as good, 53 00:03:51,100 --> 00:03:55,333 therefore highlighting the need for support for Jessica in these areas. 54 00:03:55,333 --> 00:03:59,099 Numeracy is certainly a skill area of considerable concern 55 00:03:59,100 --> 00:04:03,900 as Jessica has fallen below Band 5 and therefore has not achieved the basic 56 00:04:03,900 --> 00:04:05,800 skills of Numeracy for that year. 57 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:09,200 She will need focused intervention and additional support 58 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:14,000 to help her achieve the skills she requires to progress satisfactorily through schooling. 59 00:04:14,833 --> 00:04:18,833 On page 4 of the report you can read the skills expected at Band 5 60 00:04:18,833 --> 00:04:23,299 which might be starting points for developing Jessica's learning in numeracy. 61 00:04:23,633 --> 00:04:28,833 This information is vital to ensure all our students receive a quality education. 62 00:04:29,800 --> 00:04:34,233 The results of nationwide testing also allow each state and territory 63 00:04:34,433 --> 00:04:38,799 to develop a picture of what percentage of their students fall in a particular Band 64 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:41,233 for each Year level and subject area. 65 00:04:41,500 --> 00:04:46,000 This data can then be used to direct resources where they are needed most. 66 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:50,733 Ultimately, the aim of national literacy and numeracy testing is to ensure 67 00:04:50,733 --> 00:04:54,333 that all students across Australia reach a high level of achievement 68 00:04:54,333 --> 00:04:58,799 and that an appropriate level of resources is provided to support this outcome. 69 00:04:59,666 --> 00:05:02,832 The Australian Government and states and territories 70 00:05:02,833 --> 00:05:05,533 are working together to get the basics right, 71 00:05:05,533 --> 00:05:10,433 ensuring our children have the literacy and numeracy skills to fulfil their potential. 72 00:05:10,700 --> 00:05:14,500 This is an important demonstration of governments working together 73 00:05:14,766 --> 00:05:17,632 to improve national literacy and numeracy skills 74 00:05:17,633 --> 00:05:22,366 and give all children the opportunity to build skills for lifelong learning. 75 00:05:23,266 --> 00:05:26,666 More information about the National Literacy and Numeracy Assessments 76 00:05:26,666 --> 00:05:32,599 is available at www.nap.edu.au.