My School data to be used to help ensure children get the assistance they need

The publication of National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) data on the Federal Government's My School website is one of a number of measures allowing schools and teachers to identify and help children get the assistance they need.

Education Minister Liz Constable said the NAPLAN data was useful for assessing success in improving the levels of literacy and numeracy among Western Australian school students, but was best used in conjunction with a range of assessment methods to form a wider picture of the effectiveness of numeracy and literacy programs.

"NAPLAN testing can help us measure schools' success - and identify those children who may need extra help - but it is not the only measure of the effectiveness of numeracy and literacy programs in schools and should not be used to make simplistic comparisons between schools," Dr Constable said.

"It is important that judgements about a school's success in helping children to gain sound numeracy and literacy skills in the early years of learning are not based on any single criterion.

"Parents have the right to as much information as possible about their child's progress, and the NAPLAN data published on the My School website provides them with part of the wider picture.

"Feedback from parents shows that they value this information, and teachers too can benefit from access to a wide range of information about the performance of their students so they can continue to meet their needs."

The Minister said that NAPLAN data would be used along with other information to identify children whose performance showed they may need more attention and help to improve their literacy and numeracy.

"I am committed to raising the overall literacy and numeracy standards of WA school students across all sectors," she said.

"My overriding aim is to see that those children who need help to improve their literacy and numeracy get that help and that teachers are equipped to provide it."

Minister's office  - 9222 9699

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