Every year when the results of the standardised testing, Naplan, comes out we have so many ‘experts’ commenting on how ‘bad’ the children have done.
We also have ‘experts’ commenting on how ‘bad’ Naplan is.
What we don’t seem to have is a balanced point of view.
This year I was involved in Naplan marking. Living out of a major city, I became a regional marker which meant all my marking was completed online, from home. I completed a very extensive two day training course in Sydney and was also monitored by someone who had been involved in Naplan marking for some time. Papers marked were constantly checked and comments given if there appeared to be any major discrepancies. A very comprehensive handbook was also right besides me and viewed when marking each and every paper.
Firstly, my own personal point of view is that I don’t become overly concerned as a parent regarding Naplan. I do think doing it in Year 3 is quite frankly a bit of a waste of time. I am ok with the year 5 children doing it as I think it can be a positive experience for them regarding standardized testing, if they are supported. And I think the ‘external exam’ environment for high school student’s is a good way to expose them slowly for what is to come.
Naplan is held on three days each year. So, it is one test, on one day, for the children. Then the marking is done and results sent through.
It is not like a school report where the students have worked tirelessly at many different subjects, achieving a multitude of outcomes.
We all have a bad day. Think of Naplan as ONE day. It is not a comprehensive report on where your child is at. They may have misinterpreted, mis-read, or misjudged a maths concept that they know like the back of their hand. The next day they would have scored 100%.
Are we going to scream from the rooftops that our children’s teacher/the school/the country is failing them because they made an error? Please say no.
This year I was involved in marking the writing component.
There are 10 different sets of criteria for each paper to be marked on. I had a year 9 student write an absolutely brilliant piece of persuasive writing which gained the highest marks in certain criteria. However, they were a shocking speller and didn’t use one iota of punctuation. So they were scored accordingly.
And for everyone saying that children got marked zero, let me tell you that this was extremely rare. To be given a total mark of zero meant that absoultely nothing was written on the page.
They could have written their name, a short sentence, or even in one paper I marked I was greeted with “Hello, Naplan Marker!”. They got marks. I’m not going to tell you how much but they didn’t get a total score of 0.
We also hear many ‘experts’ stating that ‘private schools tell children to stay away on Naplan days so the total ranking for the school is higher”. Firstly, Naplan is not compulsory. It is up to the parents/carers to decide if they feel it is appropriate for their child to sit Naplan. My own children have sat it, I looked at their results, then we moved on to the next thing.
However, having worked in private, Catholic systemic and government schools, I can tell you it happens across the board. Some children are ‘encouraged’ to either stay home or not complete the test. This is not for me to comment on, however if I felt a child would become genuinely distressed by having to sit it, I would discourage them. Only for their own personal esteem and comfort.
The writing test this year did pose, what I believe, to be a rather awkwardly worded question. I am not surprised in the least that many primary school children had trouble with the concept. However, saying that, many, many, many papers that I marked for primary school students were also extremely well written. Similar for the high school students.
But let’s be honest, it wouldn’t really matter what type of question/statement/ comment was written, people would complain.
So who is making the children nervous about it?
Unfortunately it is mainly families. Yes, some teachers do as well which I believe is horrendous. But, it’s like in all industries, you have your good with your not so good.
But in my many many years of teaching, I constantly hear parents discuss the ‘issues’ of Naplan in front of their children. Please, give them a break!
Yes, some teachers may teach for the exams. But, guess what? What is being examined is what the children should be learning in the curriculum anyway.
And it is interesting for schools to have a look at the results and note if there are any areas which may need further support and funds.
And this is the important thing here. Many, many schools are basically existing on a shoe string. There was recently a survey done on how much teachers are out of pocket each year for what they spend on school supplies. I know many teachers, including myself, who constantly purchase items for the children when the school doesn’t have the funds. This is not an ‘oh poor teacher’s’ rant, but more about the inadequate funding so many schools receive.
If results may show that a certain school/area is low on numeracy schools, investigations can be made, programs reviewed, help and support sought.
I know Naplan is not for everyone. As I said, I am not in complete favour of it. But what I am in complete favour of is finding ways in which teachers can improve themselves and their teaching strategies so they can help to improve and enrich the lives of their students.
Because to me, that’s what teaching is all about.
So, please don’t panic. Don’t focus wholly on sensationalised media stories about how ‘bad’ the Naplan results are.
Focus on what your little or big ones need and work on that.
And remember, some of these ‘experts’ have not been in a classroom since they left school.
I’d love to hear what you think.
Do you like Naplan?
Did you let your kid’s sit it or were they discouraged by their school?
Schoolopoly 