Sure, it’s nice to know that SA recorded its highest ever NAPLAN mean scores in reading and spelling at year 3 and 5, but what do the numbers say about your child?
If you have a child in year 3, 5, 7 or 9 who sat the NAPLAN tests this year you’ll receive your child’s results in mid to late September.
The NAPLAN student report contains important information about your child’s current capability in the foundational learning areas of reading, writing, grammar, punctuation, spelling and numeracy.
Schools and teachers use this information to judge how effectively they’re working and adjust their approaches to help students to improve and grow.
The results can also help you to understand your child’s strengths and weaknesses so you can work on some things at home and have an informed conversations with teachers about how your child can progress to the next level.
So what should you be looking for?
For each of the five test areas your child will receive their individual result placing them within a ‘band’ that indicates their level of knowledge, understanding and skills in the subject area.
The report includes information on what each ‘band’ means so you can get a clear picture of your child’s current capabilities.
You’ll also receive an indication of the national average result for that subject and year level, so you can see broadly where you child sits in comparison with their peers.
It’s important to remember that the results are designed to help identify areas for students, classes and schools to focus on, not to create competition or anxiety between families.
Children develop at different rates, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself or your child.
If they did well, that’s great. If they didn’t get the results you or they were hoping for there’s no need to panic. Whatever the result it’s a great opportunity to talk with your child’s teacher about how your child can be supported to be their best.
A detailed explanation of the NAPLAN student reports, including guidance on how to read them and FAQs for parents and carers can be found at Student reports on the National Assessments Program website
