Changes to NAPLAN in 2023

Federal and State Education ministers have announced a series of improvements to the National Assessment Program, which will enhance NAPLAN as a measure that allows teachers, schools, governments and parents to support students, and ensure they are gaining important literacy and numeracy skills.   

NAPLAN testing will move from May to March in 2023. Separate opt-in assessments in science literacy, civics and citizenship, and digital literacy will also gradually be available from Term 2, 2024.  

The improvements mean that valuable data will be available earlier in the school year to inform teaching and learning programs, and to give teachers and parents additional information about students’ performance.    

The new opt-in assessments for Year 6 and Year 10 students will start with science in 2024.  

Reference: ACARA newsletter, April 2022

Changes to the Australian Curriculum

A decluttered Australian Curriculum that sets high expectations and standards for what all students should know and be able to do, and that supports deeper conceptual understanding and improvement in educational performance, has been endorsed by education ministers today.

“The Australian Curriculum ensures the same high standard curriculum content is available to every student, regardless of where they live. It reflects the priorities and expectations we hold for our young people, and this curriculum sets a new high benchmark,” said ACARA CEO, David de Carvalho.

“Importantly, this is a more stripped-back and teachable curriculum that identifies the essential content our children should learn. Together with new resources designed to support our teachers, it is expected the Australian Curriculum will lead to improved student outcomes.

“There is a stronger focus on phonics in English and on mastering essential mathematical facts, concepts, skills and processes. Students will be introduced to concepts and processes at the right time.

“History has been significantly decluttered, allowing more time for in-depth teaching.

There is a strengthening of explicit teaching of consent and respectful relationships from F–10 in ageappropriate ways.”

Ministers considered the final draft earlier this year and were supportive of the revisions to 6 of 8 learning areas, as well as the cross-curriculum priorities and the general capabilities. Further revisions were requested in Mathematics and the Humanities and Social Sciences, which have now been approved.