1 in 3 Aussie Kids Falling Behind in Reading and Maths Skills, Reveals Disturbing Report

One in three school students not meeting numeracy and literacy expectations, NAPLAN results show

The New NAPLAN Results

The latest NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) results reveal a concerning reality: one in three school students in Australia are not meeting the minimum expectations for numeracy and literacy. The results, assessed under a new and tougher set of criteria, also highlight the lag in achievement among Indigenous, rural, and lower socio-economic students.

Challenging the System

The revamped NAPLAN approach assesses students against four levels of proficiency: exceeding, strong, developing, and needs additional support. While about 65% of students fell into the exceeding and strong categories, alarming figures revealed that 23% of students were categorized as developing and 10% as requiring additional support. These numbers, along with the students exempt from the test, paint a clear picture of the educational landscape in Australia.

A Clearer Picture

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare asserts that the new NAPLAN standards provide a clearer picture of the actual situation in Australian classrooms. By raising the minimum standards, the system now identifies those students who require additional support and assistance. Mr. Clare emphasizes the importance of providing help to struggling students early on, as falling behind at a young age can have lifelong implications. “We can’t accept that children who fall behind when they’re eight years old are going to stay behind for the rest of their lives,” he says. The results show that early intervention is crucial for ensuring that students stay on track and do not drop out of school.

A Necessary Evil

While some may argue that changing the system was a necessary evil, there are those who see the value of the new approach. Glenn Fahey, the Director of Education at the Centre for Independent Studies, explains that the new measurement is more accurate than previous methods. The results are consistent with international assessments that have been indicating declining performance among Australian students for the past two decades. Despite substantial investments in the education system, Australian students have been sliding down global rankings. The NAPLAN results serve as a wakeup call to address the decline in school standards.

Addressing the Disparities

The NAPLAN results further highlight the disparities among different demographics. Girls consistently outperformed boys in literacy, while boys typically excelled in numeracy. Indigenous students, as well as those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, are in greater need of additional support compared to the overall statistics. The results also showed that students from very remote areas had significantly lower levels of achievement compared to those in major cities.

Improvement is Essential

The implications of poor achievement in early schooling years are significant. Glenn Fahey stresses that poor performance at the start of schooling often carries through the rest of the educational journey. It is crucial to address the existing achievement gaps and ensure that comprehensive measures are put in place to support struggling students.

Call for Action

The NAPLAN results have prompted calls for urgent action from the Federal Opposition. Shadow Education Minister Sarah Henderson claims that declining school standards have become a national embarrassment. The results underscore the need for better educational outcomes for young Australians and their families.

Education Union’s Perspective

The Australian Education Union (AEU) argues that the NAPLAN results highlight the need for increased funding in public schools. AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe emphasizes the importance of closing the resource gaps in order to close the achievement gaps. The AEU’s campaign advocates for public schools to receive 100% of the resource standard enjoyed by private schools. The organization points out that while public schools educate a majority of students with higher needs, only a small percentage of them are funded to the minimum agreed level.

The Way Forward

The NAPLAN results raise important questions about how to improve educational outcomes in Australia. Early identification and intervention are critical, as emphasized by Federal Education Minister Jason Clare. An inquiry into school funding, set to report to the government in October, will address these issues and determine the best course of action. The aim is to provide the necessary support and resources to help struggling students catch up, keep up, and finish school.

In conclusion, the NAPLAN results highlight the need for urgent action to address the decline in numeracy and literacy skills among Australian students. The revamped NAPLAN approach provides a clearer picture of the situation and underscores the disparities among different demographics. To ensure better educational outcomes, it is crucial to provide early intervention, close resource gaps, and implement comprehensive measures to support struggling students. The future of Australian education depends on these critical steps.