The Naplan method of numeracy and literacy testing is not effective, and students and teachers should not be made accountable through the publication of results on the My School website, according to Charles Sturt University Education professionals.
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The My School website was released by the Federal Government at the end of last month and details - among other things - individual schools’ attendance and retention rates, an index of disadvantage, and results in national numeracy and literacy tests.
Professor Tom Lowrie of the Research Institute of Professional Practice and Learning Education, and Maths Education lecturer Kay Owens, both believe the Naplan test does not provide a comprehensive measure of student performance.
“It is a single measure of how well students have done on one single day,” Prof Lowrie said.
“It advantages students who are good at tests and disadvantages those with English as a second language.”
He said not enough research has been done in terms of the effectiveness and appropriateness of the questions.
“It doesn’t necessarily show students’ problem solving ability,” he said. “Often one word can completely change the nature of students’ understanding of the question.”
Prof Lowrie provided an example of the word “flip” being used in the mathematic component of the Naplan test.
“Now a “flip” can mean many things depending on the students’ interpretation, some kids may relate it to doing a flip at the pool or flipping a coin.”
“In a mathematical item a mathematical term such as ‘reflect’ or ‘rotate’ should be used rather than an everyday language word.”
Colleague Kay Owens agrees with Prof Lowrie’s views towards the appropriateness of questions and does not feel the results reflect the academic ability of all students.
“Much of the Naplan testing is not geared to the diversity of children in the classroom both linguistically and culturally,” she said.
“It doesn’t really test what students are capable of. Some students might come to school with maths skills but they can’t be tested by pen and paper.”
According to the Federal Government My School allows for parents to make an informed decision on their child’s education but Ms Owens said it does just the opposite.
“I am really opposed to any comparison of schools, it is demoralising,” she said.
“Some schools suit some students differently to others.
“While it might shed information to the Government about funding it doesn’t assist teachers or students when it comes to choice.”
