South Australian results from the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests, released today, show the state has made gains in national rankings.

South Australia continues to be on an overall improving trajectory, particularly in Year 3, which demonstrates the focus on the early years is playing a significant role.

Research shows that if children are falling behind in the early years, it’s harder to catch up, which is why early intervention is critical.

That’s why the State Government is introducing universal three-year-old preschool – to ensure that all children in South Australia receive the best start in life with early intervention opportunities able to be more accessible.

It’s also why the State Government is overhauling South Australia’s curriculum, starting with mathematics. From next year, a new mathematics curriculum will be introduced to lift student outcomes. Alongside this is a new numeracy check that will be piloted in 50 schools to identify children who need extra help earlier.

South Australia has improved its ranking compared with other states in Year 3, Year 5 and Year 7 reading; in Year 5 writing; Years 3 and Year 7 spelling and Years 3 and 7 grammar and punctuation.

South Australia typically has a higher proportion of socio-economic disadvantage

(Aboriginal, remote, lower parental education) than national averages which is reflected in the data.

The mean scores reflect similar demographic patterns to previous years however, remote and very remote students in SA had higher NAPLAN scores than comparable students across Australia.

More than 80,000 South Australian students participated in the NAPLAN testing this year, with important changes made to both the timing of the testing and the explanation of the outcomes.

It’s the first time new proficiency standards are being used to make it easier for parents, carers and schools to understand how individual students are tracking.

The minimum standard has also been lifted to better identify students who need extra help.

By moving the testing period to an earlier date, the NAPLAN results are available earlier, to allow teachers to assess what support students may need in the coming year and to better inform teaching and learning programs.

The changes, approved by all of the nation’s Education Ministers, are intended to provide greater clarity to families and schools about how students are progressing, and to provide the information at a more relevant time of the year so adjustments can be made to a student’s learning.

New proficiency standards with four simplified levels of achievement for each year level replace the previous 10-band structure and the old national minimum standard set in 2008 when tests were on paper.

The new proficiency levels are: