NAPLAN early results not released due to low participation

The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority said the pandemic, floods and flu had meant fewer students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 had completed the national literacy and numeracy tests in May.

ACARA chief executive David de Carvalho said the lower rates meant the preliminary summary and trends could be inaccurate.

"We need to look closely at jurisdictional level trends in particular to understand whether any change is due to overall achievement level or to the particular groups of students who were absent through testing, whether from lower or higher performing cohorts," he said.

The participation rate dropped by one to two percentage points in primary schools and two to three percentage points in secondary schools compared to 2021.

This year's testing was completed online across all schools for the first time.

The lowest participation rate was 85 per cent in year 9 numeracy, which roughly equates to 45,000 not completing the test.

The highest participation rate was 95 per cent year 5 reading, with approximately 15,000 students missing out on the test.

Participation rates were particularly poor in all domains in year 9, which was below the technical data standard of 90 per cent, but Mr de Carvahlo was unable to say why this was the case.

"The lower than usual participation rate means closer analysis of jurisdictional-level results is required using student background information, once that information is fully checked and cleared by state and territory education authorities," he said.

"NAPLAN is one of the only national measures available into the effects of the pandemic on schooling, and so taking the time to investigate the data more closely is important."

READ MORE: NAPLAN assessments begin in 2022 as critics warn of limitations

The results for students who don't complete the tests are usually estimated and incorporated in the state and territory summary results in August. Non-participation is higher among lower-achieving students.

However, ACARA officials have opted to hold back all data until the final report in November because they are not confident in estimating the achievement of a larger cohort of students.

ACARA executive director of assessment and reporting Russell Dyer said there was a security period where absent students could retake the test but that wasn't enough to maintain participation rates.

"The problem this year is that because of the high non-participation rates, we're a little bit concerned about whether the two reports are going to match," Mr Dyer said.

"In previous years, they always have, there's been very little difference between those reports. So we just, as I said, are taking a cautious approach."

Results at the individual student and school level are not affected by the participation rates, and parents and schools will be receiving those results over the next few weeks.

Centre for Independent Studies education director Glenn Fahy said policymakers and school systems had not risen to the challenge of ensuring high participation in the test.

"It's I find it difficult to square that illness alone can explain that decline in participation," he said.

"I suspect that we're also witnessing here a broader lack of resolve to see the test completed at usual levels, because we've we already in recent years begun opening the door toward NAPLAN being only a nice to have, not an essential feature of the school system."

Mr Fahy said there should be greater transparency and disclosure of preliminary results, even if adjustment would be required later on, given the public interest in the national assessments.

ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry said the lower participation rates were understandable.

"This year has been tough for school systems, and the COVID-19 pandemic, the flu season and floods in some parts of the country have contributed to those lower participation rates. I think this is understandable," Ms Berry said.

Results at the individual student and school level are not affected by the participation rates, and parents and schools will be receiving those results over the next few weeks.

We've made it a whole lot easier for you to have your say. Our new comment platform requires only one log-in to access articles and to join the discussion on The Canberra Times website. Find out how to register so you can enjoy civil, friendly and engaging discussions. See our moderation policy here.