Students
Generally looking at NAPLAN, the first people we think about are the students. They have to go through the preparation, participation in the test and waiting for results to see where they and their school are ranked. This process can be a long and daunting one for some students however we must look at the pros and cons for NAPLAN on behalf of students.
(Literacy Educators Coalition, 2014)
Pros and Cons of NAPLAN for students
Pros:
- The results discover the student’s ability in essential core subjects and the areas in which they need to improve on to help with their education.
- Students that need extra help in these core subjects can therefore get extra help or one-on-one assistance with the teacher or assistant teachers to improve in the areas they are struggling.
- Good individual scores can get students into higher primary or secondary schools.
- Students need little preparation for the NAPLAN as it is all based on the set curriculum.
- NAPLAN is meant ‘to help drive improvements in student outcomes’. (ACARA, 2011)
cons:
- Students are missing out on vital curriculum learning when they have to practice for the preparation of NAPLAN.
- The NAPLAN is tested at the start of the year in May which gives students a limited amount of time to adjust to the Year 5 curriculum and learn all the relevant and important core subjects.
- Some students become stressed prior to the NAPLAN, which can lead to failure and disappointment.
- Some students start to believe they are ‘too dumb’ to partake in the test which impacts on their self-esteem.
- According to Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences ‘ an individual might have strengths or weaknesses in one or several areas’ of the eight kinds of human abilities/intelligences (Woolfolk & Margetts, 2010).
How should students get prepared for the Naplan?
- Students should understand the curriculum that has been taught and catch up on lessons they have missed.
- Have plenty of sleep prior to the NAPLAN.
- Have a big healthy breakfast and lunch to help give them fuel and energy during the examination.
- Don't stress. Students
should do the best they can with the knowledge and understanding they have
developed over their schooling. Students should always know they would have
support if they ever need help.
Interview with students
Year 5 - Boy
Year 5 - Girl 1
Year 5 - Girl 2
- "I enjoyed NAPLAN"
- "I didn't like the writing section as it was a information report but I enjoy writing narratives as I like making up my own stories"
- "My mum said I did quite well"
Year 5 - Girl 1
- "I didn't enjoy the NAPLAN"
- "I found it hard but I apparently my results were good"
- "I liked doing the spelling corrections because I'm good with spelling"
Year 5 - Girl 2
- "I didn't enjoy the NAPLAN because it was hard and I was a bit stressed"
- "I didn't have time to finish the writing section as I was behind in my planning"
- "I was below the average line in the results in all areas"
- "I may not like it, but NAPLAN is good because it helps me become smarter!"
(The Courier Mail, 2014, p. 13)