Page 2066 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 2 August 2016
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all writing assessments are proposed to be both automated and human marked. This double marking will provide surety for students undertaking the tests, and also validate the marking system for future use.
The ACT has undertaken significant planning, development, training, research and trialling, and this work will continue to ensure we are ready to move NAPLAN online. However, we will not be jumping in blindly to NAPLAN online without testing systems, school processes and student interactions with the system. Once the systems testing in August is complete we will have more information about how the NAPLAN online processes work and whether the outcomes for students and schools are as good as anticipated.
I would hope, pending a successful trial and some further information around those key areas that I have highlighted today, that the ACT will be in a position to move confidently to NAPLAN testing online in 2017. I will endeavour to keep members of the Assembly updated on this work as best as possible over the next few months.
I present a copy of the statement and move:
That the Assembly take note of the paper.
MR DOSZPOT (Molonglo) (10.56): Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to comment on the Minister for Education’s statement on the rollout of NAPLAN online. NAPLAN has been and is a useful tool to track students’ progress over a period of years. It has not been without controversy—from the objection of schools and the AEU to the interpretation and publication of students’ results done by the Canberra Times and the sometimes erroneous reflection of the school’s worth by the league table rankings.
Over the years, successive education ministers have proudly announced the number of students within the ACT education system that have topped or exceeded the national averages, and not just in one year but in successive years. I well understand and recognise the importance of applauding our students who do well in whatever field. However, I am probably also on record each and every time NAPLAN results come out as questioning what is being done for the percentage of students across numerous schools who are below the national average. I think that to this day we are not doing enough to bring those students up to at least national averages. I also recognise that there are some schools that have done some remarkable work in addressing the slower achievers, and those teachers are to be commended for the hard work that they have put in.
I think moving NAPLAN online is a sensible progression as it will deliver results faster and provide the necessary tools for teachers to assess where their classes are tracking and what they need to do to lift their results as required.
I inquired during the estimates committee hearings as to what support had been offered to or sought by non-government schools to facilitate their delivery of online NAPLAN testing. The minister, in a written response, said, “The Association of Independent Schools and Catholic Education Office are key members of the ACT’s NAPLAN Online project Governance Board. This Board will assess the
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