What Will Change?
The NAPLAN will undergo a couple of changes:
- Online assessment platform: One of the most important changes is the introduction of a new platform which will assess students online. The traditional exams, therefore, which have taken place for over a decade, will be replaced by an entirely digital system. This change is aimed at providing more flexibility and faster outcomes for schools and students.
- Adaptive test: The difficulty of the exam will adapt depending on the student’s initial performance. That means that as students progress through the exam, the level of difficulty of questions will adjust depending on their responses. This new model, allows the student’s strengths and weaknesses to come to the surface, enabling for a more targeted approach to improvement.
- New format: The format of some NAPLAN components will also change. The tests will still assess core areas such as reading, writing, language conventions and numeracy, but with updated styles of questions. For instance, the writing section will now include a new focus on persuasive writing. This is done so as to enhance students’ critical thinking skills and the ability to express arguments in a clear manner.
What Year Levels Are Impacted?
The changes in the NAPLAN system will affect all year levels that are typically assessed, meaning Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. Students of those year levels, therefore, will undertake the NAPLAN exams under the new online system. It is further worth noting that the new online system will allow for a smoother experience, as it will take away the stress associated with traditional exams and will provide a less rigid formal and more targeted feedback.
Who Does It Affect?
Apart from students who will be directly impacted, as they will need to familiarise themselves with the online platform, teachers and parents will also be affected. On one hand, teachers will play a critical role as they will be tasked with assisting students in navigating the changes and preparing adequately for the new exam formats. Schools will need to prepare their infrastructure to facilitate the digital nature of the new assessment, which could involve upgrading computer systems and making sure that students have adequate access to technology during the testing period. On the other hand, parents will need to understand the new format and how it might affect their child's performance. In that way, they’ll be able to support their child’s learning and preparation.
Is the NAPLAN a Prerequisite to Get My HSC?
Although the NAPLAN results are not directly tied to a student’s eligibility for the HSC, results may be an indicator of academic strength or areas needing improvement. Nonetheless, they do not influence a student’s ability to enrol in or complete the HSC like they used to in former years. Likewise, NAPLAN results do not determine whether a student gets into a Selective School or not.
How Can Parents Help Their Child in Their NAPLAN Exams?
With these shifts in the NAPLAN exams, parents can participate in helping their children prepare for the new online assessments. This can be done by taking a calm and supportive approach and by following the steps below:
- Parents can familiarise themselves and their children with the new format to build confidence
- Reinforce key skills at home on a daily basis
- Create a positive and productive study environment by eliminating distractions (noise, electronics etc) and prioritising the child’s mental and physical health
- Promote a growth mindset by reassuring and comforting your child
- Engage in parent/teacher interviews to identify weaknesses that can be addressed early on
The major changes to NAPLAN are set to affect students, schools, and parents across Australia. With the pioneering shift to an online, adaptive testing system and the introduction of new question formats, students will experience a more personalised and engaging assessment process that will allow their strengths and weaknesses to be identified. While NAPLAN results are not tied to entry requirements for the HSC or Selective Schools, they can serve as a helpful indicator of academic progress. By learning the new system, reinforcing key skills in their children, and offering emotional support, parents can ensure that their kids are well-prepared for the upcoming NAPLAN exams.
Ultimately, although the new NAPLAN will premiere formats which may seem foreign to traditional methods of testing, it will also pave the way for exams which will be tailored to each student’s unique learning journey.
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