NAPLAN results set to arrive earlier this year
Australian schools anticipate receiving NAPLAN results sooner, thanks to accelerated processing by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).
With tests commencing this week, schools will receive preliminary results for reading, numeracy, spelling and grammar by early Term 2, four weeks after the testing period ends on 25 March 2024.
Acting ACARA CEO Stephen Gniel emphasised the importance of early results in supporting teachers and improving student outcomes.
‘It will help support schools in understanding where their students have performed well and areas for improvement, as well shape teaching and learning programs,’ he said.
Expert views: concerns surrounding digital NAPLAN
As NAPLAN shifts to digital format and earlier testing dates, experts are voicing concerns. Monash University’s Dr Venesser Fernandes highlights students’ preference for later exams, raising concerns about confidence levels and preparation. Curtain University’s Professor Karen Murcia questions the efficacy of digital testing, advocating for end-of-year assessments for better insights into student progress. Both experts cite challenges such as resource limitations and unequal access to technology, potentially impacting test outcomes.
Schools introduce optional NAP assessments
This year, Australian schools have the option to enrol Year 6 and Year 10 students in NAP Opt-in assessments covering key curriculum areas. These assessments, part of the National Assessment Program, are voluntary for schools and will be phased in over three years.
The rollout starts with science literacy in 2024, followed by civics and citizenship in 2025, and ICT literacy in 2026. By 2026, schools can opt for assessments in all three domains annually.
The 2024 science literacy assessment, provided by ACARA, aims to gather feedback from schools to enhance future assessments. Participating schools can measure student performance against national standards, adapt teaching programs based on results, and use a self-service platform for flexible testing.
Registration for the 2024 science literacy assessment opens on 26 March and closes on 30 April, with no registration fee. Find out more.
New search code combats online child sexual abuse
Australia has introduced a new search code, compelling search engines to block child sexual abuse material and AI-generated deepfakes. The code expands existing regulations to safeguard various online platforms.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant stressed search engines’ pivotal role in limiting access to illicit content and industry responsibility in tackling online exploitation.
‘I will [now] be able to seek significant enforceable penalties if search engines fail to comply with a direction to comply with the code’, she said.
Despite challenges posed by emerging technologies such as generative AI, industry collaboration refined the code to address evolving threats.
Homelessness fuelled by family violence
A new report reveals a growing crisis of women and children fleeing domestic and family violence into homelessness prompting calls for an urgent funding package to provide pathways to safe housing.
Homelessness Australia’s Homelessness and domestic and family violence: State of Response Report analyses Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data to find 45 per cent of women and girls seeking homelessness assistance do so due to family and domestic violence.
Most Australians don’t understand how gender inequality affects women and girls
New research by Plan International Australia reveals that awareness of how gender inequality manifests in some of the most devastating ways in Australia – and in more vulnerable contexts overseas – is alarmingly low.
As part of the survey, research participants were presented with seven statements about gender inequality in Australia and were asked to select which of them they believed to be true. Almost one in 10 did not believe any of the seven statements to be true. Read more.
Australian Catholics film reviewers honoured
Peter Malone whose many film reviews are available on the Australian Catholics website was honoured by the International Catholic Film Critics Association (ICFCA). For the second year, Malone won the Outstanding Criticism (ICFCA member) category. Peter W Sheehan, who also contributes to the reviews, was nominated in the same category. In the 2023 awards, Oppenheimer was named Best Picture. See the ICFCA website for more information.
What’s on
Next AC+ Professional Learning session – Prayer in Schools: Consider why prayer is so important in the life of a Catholic school. In this session, we will explore ways teachers can harness the value of novelty, fun, engagement, educational value and providing opportunities for students to connect with their faith meaningfully through prayer.
Guests: Anne Slingo is a teacher who also has a consulting service in Faith, Formation and Growth. Nathan Ahearne is a Lay Marist, teacher and formator of young people and Catholic educators. Laura Kings is the Australian Catholics Assistant Editor for Education and Youth. As well as facilitating the session, she will be sharing some ideas for using modern technological tools to develop prayers for the classroom.
Date: Tuesday, 19 March
Time: 4.30-5.30pm (AEDT)
Find out more.
Internship applications close tomorrow: This online media internship program, offered by Jesuit Communications, which publishes Australian Catholics, gives Years 10 and 11 students across the country an introduction to a career in media. Applications close Friday, 15 March. Find out more.