More than 85,900 students across South Australia will start online NAPLAN tests today, two months earlier than in previous years.

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 and takes place in schools across the country each year.

NAPLAN seeks to evaluate whether young people are reaching important numeracy and literacy goals and is tailored to each year level. The tests assess skills in writing, reading, spelling, grammar, punctuation and numeracy.

Previously held in May, this year’s testing period is between Wednesday 15 March to Monday 27 March. By moving the testing period to an earlier date, the NAPLAN results will be available earlier, to allow teachers to assess what support students may need in the coming year and to better inform teaching and learning programs.

New proficiency standards with four levels of achievement for each year level will replace the previous 10-band structure and the old national minimum standard set in 2008 when tests were on paper. The new proficiency standards include a baseline benchmark to identify students who are likely to need additional support. This will help families and carers better understand where their child sits and what, if any, other supports are needed.

Long-term trends in the NAPLAN results for South Australian students, do show solid improvement.

However, a new Mathematics Improvement Strategy will be introduced in schools with an increased emphasis on numeracy and mathematics in the foundation years.

South Australia hosted the inaugural Numeracy Summit for school leaders this month, providing them access to leading edge numeracy and mathematics research to improve practice in schools.