Not So Surprising: Unmasking the NAPLAN Results Charade

Why are we pretending to be surprised at NAPLAN results?

The recent NAPLAN results that showed disappointing performance among students should not come as a surprise to anyone. The most disadvantaged students in New South Wales attend schools that are neglected and under-resourced, with a significant number of students who are considered “hard-to-teach” or have high needs. Additionally, it has been reported that one in five students has a learning disability. These students cannot improve if they do not receive the necessary support in properly resourced schools and classrooms.

This is not new information; we have known about these issues for years. Yet, whenever the truth is revealed, as it has been in this year’s NAPLAN results, we act surprised and hope for improvement next year. But words and opinions are cheap, and real action to address these issues is expensive. As a result, we can expect to see the same or even worse results in the future.

The Gonski report and the ongoing funding disparity

We shouldn’t be surprised because the Gonski report from years ago already highlighted the fact that children who are more challenging to educate are attending underfunded schools, while private schools continue to receive excessive funding. It seems we are caught in a cycle of doing the same things and expecting different results, which, as Albert Einstein famously said, is the definition of madness.

The need for adequate support and resourcing

The difficulties faced by students who have learning disabilities or come from non-English backgrounds cannot be solved solely by adequately staffing and resourcing public schools. It requires the support of parents and communities as well. Students need role models, motivation, and support not just in the classroom but also at home and in their communities.

It is ironic that we are discussing the widening gaps between different groups of students while simultaneously dealing with situations where teachers are being asked to apologize for setting improvement tasks that may cause stress. It is disheartening to see the state of education today, as it seems that teachers are overburdened, under-resourced, and no longer held in high regard. Despite these challenges, they are still expected to perform miracles in the classroom.

The role of government in education

The government plays a significant role in education, and its level of respect for the teaching profession is reflected in its funding decisions. Unfortunately, the state government only provides 90% of the necessary funding for public education. This lack of adequate funding results in overcrowded classrooms and demountable buildings, and it also contributes to low teacher salaries, which in turn affects the quality of education.

To address the problems in education, we need significant investment and a shift in priorities. Parents and communities must actively support their local schools and teachers. Government funding should be allocated more equitably, ensuring that every student has the resources they need. It’s time to stop pretending to be surprised at poor NAPLAN results and start taking real action to improve education in our country.