Page 534 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 22 March 2023
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MS BERRY: Not much has happened with the delivery of NAPLAN, with the exception of it occurring earlier in the year so that the data on the results of that assessment can be provided earlier. Teachers were supported to ensure that they had the time to prepare for that, late last year and earlier this year, once the decision was made.
MR DAVIS: Minister, are you aware of any disruptions to classes, lapsed classes or missed learning opportunities for students not participating in NAPLAN, such as classes being cancelled or divided or students being sent home?
MS BERRY: No, I have not been advised of that occurring. However, if Mr Davis is aware of any schools where that might have been the case, I would of course be interested to understand what the concerns were within those individual schools so that we can address them in future years.
MR BRADDOCK: Minister, what other measures are used to monitor the academic performance of students in ACT schools?
MS BERRY: NAPLAN is one assessment that occurs across our school communities. It is a two-year test. As far as our schools are concerned, it is a very narrow measure. It does not measure whether a school is a good school or a school that needs more assistance. NAPLAN has changed over the years. Fortunately, it is starting to look like—particularly under this new government—it is not having the circus around it that it has had in previous years, confusing families about what NAPLAN is and also taking up additional time for schools.
Regarding the purpose of NAPLAN and whether it provides the data that schools need to ensure that students are receiving the right supports, teachers assess students every day in different kinds of ways. As I said, NAPLAN is a very narrow measure of a couple of areas within the curriculum, to understand where children are at a particular point in time. It also is a way that parents could use to initiate a conversation with teachers to see where their children might need support or where their children might be excelling.
Canberra Hospital—cardiology department
MS CASTLEY: My question is to the health minister. Minister, the scathing letter you received from five private cardiologists says that Canberra Hospital has deteriorated to standards far below national and international guidelines. The letter also states that representatives of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians visited the Canberra Hospital because of concerns about the welfare and education of local trainees. In a radio interview with the ABC on 16 March, Minister, you said, “The feedback from our junior medical officers is that actually they’re seeing a significant improvement in the cardiology department.” Minister, did the college visit the cardiology department because they wanted to inquire about the welfare and education of local trainees?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: My understanding is that no, they did not visit for that reason. Ms Castley is conflating a couple of things, because my reference—
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video