- Children in year one will now be examined in a similar way to the NAPLAN tests
- Minister for Education Simon Birmingham said Australia’s results were falling
- This new system will likely stop kids from ‘falling through the cracks’
- It hasn’t been designed yet but could be rolled out as early as 2019
A new national assessment will see students in the first grade undergo literacy and numeracy tests so they don’t ‘fall between the cracks.’
At present the NAPLAN system tests children from years three, seven and nine on their reading, writing and mathematics skills but there isn’t a national standard for students younger than those year groups.
Minister for Education Simon Birmingham explained that Australia’s results in primary and secondary academics had declined and was hoping a new system could prevent errors learned in the earlier years from carrying forward, the Herald Sun reports.
At present the NAPLAN system tests children from years three, seven and nine on their reading, writing and mathematics skills but there isn’t a national standard for students younger than those year groups
At the moment the idea of a nationwide check hasn’t been developed but there are reports it could be integrated into the syllabus by 2019.
A panel of researchers and experts advised the Minister that a ‘light check’ on school students that age could help bolster results in the long term.
‘By identifying exactly where students are at in their development early at school, educators can intervene to give extra support to those who need it to stop them slipping behind the pack.’
‘By identifying exactly where students are at in their development early at school, educators can intervene to give extra support to those who need it to stop them slipping behind the pack,’ said Mr Birmingham (pictured)
Instead of being a test conducted in anxiety-inducing school halls the year one ‘check’ would be far more relaxed and be administered by teachers known to the students.
An online system would then tally up the child’s score and release the information to the principal and parents alike.
Mr Birmingham said he would hold discussions with state and territory leaders and education authorities over a trial and implementation roll out.