Thursday, May 16, 2013

Senate inquiry into NAPLAN

Readers may be interested in the recently launched senate inquiry, with the following Terms of reference:

The effectiveness of the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy

Terms of Reference

The effectiveness of the National Assessment Program รข€“ Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), 
With specific reference to: 

a) whether the evidence suggests that NAPLAN is achieving its stated objectives; 
b) unintended consequences of NAPLAN's introduction; 
c) NAPLAN's impact on teaching and student learning practices; 
d) the impact on teaching and student learning practices of publishing NAPLAN test results on the MySchool website; 
e) potential improvements to the program, to improve student learning and assessment; 
f) international best practice for standardised testing, and international case studies about the introduction of standardised testing; and 
g) other relevant matters. 

Full details are at


It's a short enquiry, with submissions due by 7 June and a reporting date of 27 June. Submissions are invited, however (details online).