NAPLAN A FLAWED ASSESSMENT TOOL

Today’s failure of the online NAPLAN testing platform highlights that the system is riddled with problems and should be scrapped in favour of sample-based testing and teacher-led assessments.

The AEU has consistently expressed concern about NAPLAN as an assessment tool, the way data is used and the means by which it is collected.

AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe said the failure of today’s test should urge the Government to review NAPLAN as a whole.

“Assessment is a critical component of teaching and learning, but NAPLAN is a flawed system,” Ms Haythorpe said.

“NAPLAN should be scrapped and replaced with a comprehensive program of classroom-based and teacher-led assessments, along with sample-based testing.”

“Today’s outages coupled with the high-stakes nature of the assessment risks increasing student anxiety and will add to teachers’ increasing workloads.”

“There will also be questions about the accuracy of the NAPLAN results once these assessments finally take place.”

“NAPLAN is not a suitable assessment tool, and the union and its members must be consulted to develop a framework that puts the needs of students, teachers and parents at the centre of assessment.”

ENDS

Media Contact: Kylie Jensen 0402 298 728