Monday, May 19, 2014

Latest upate from ACARA

NAPLAN has just concluded for the seventh year with more than 1.1 million students and more than 9500 schools taking part. It does not come as a surprise that some children dislike NAPLAN. Not many children like taking tests at any time, but this should not be used as the basis to stop testing or make calls for assessment to be scrapped.
                                   
We are concerned whenever we hear that any child experiences anxiety during test situations. Some nervousness is natural – just as a child may find other school events a little confronting. The adults in children’s lives must put NAPLAN into context. Parents and carers should treat NAPLAN test days just like any other school day, as children take signs from their parents and carers about how to handle events where they are likely to be nervous.
                                   
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority’s (ACARA) mission is to improve the learning outcomes for young Australians and it is our role to ensure that misconceptions, as highlighted in the conclusions of this report, are corrected. Illiteracy and poor numeracy are high-stakes. Every adult in Australia should care about making sure children are well-equipped in these areas and that school leaders and governments know where to direct additional support to where it is most needed.


http://www.acara.edu.au