Over the last week, parents from the Yass Valley and nationally with students from years 3, 5, 7 and 9 have received the results from The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).
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So what can parents draw from these results? Is it to place all the emphasis on one representation or as one of many tools.
NAPLAN is a snapshot in only literacy and numeracy and does not cater to the different styles of learning.
The James Cook University Australia provides a model of the different learning styles, Fleming’s (2001) Visual Auditory Kinesthetic (VAK) states most people possess a dominant or preferred learning style.
A result is that labels are often given to those who use common learning styles and techniques as ‘intelligent’. Those who use less favored learning styles often find themselves in lower classes, with various not-so-complimentary labels, this can create positive and negative spirals that reinforce the belief that one is 'smart' or 'dumb'.
Resident and mother Tracey Lennon from Yass had two children, from years 7 and 9, sit the NAPLAN exam earlier this year.
“When the kids first started doing the exam we placed a lot of emphasis on the results, it wasn’t until we got a tutor that explained that these exams don’t reflect the kids capabilities, that we no longer took it as gospel,” Ms Lennon said.
“It was hard when they were in year three because their grades were going really well and then they would come home with the results of the NAPLAN test and be so upset, saying things like ‘Mum I’m dumb’.”
“Both kids are getting great results at school, they are either A or B students, the results show them falling down in a lot of areas. I know now that it is a good starting point to talk to them and their teachers, but I am already aware what their academic weaknesses are,” Ms Lennon continued.
Who has the right to decide what is the acceptable level and way of learning? A big criticism of the NAPLAN exam is the emphasis on exceeding academics. Todays social engineering focuses alot on academics without paying homage to the other equally significant skills. As a rule, we need basic literacy and numeracy to fit into the social fabrics, but not everyone can fit into the same box, at the same level.
Each year is different, some may not be academically inclined despite great teachers and don’t show how much the child has grown over the course of year.
Kathy Brine, another local resident and mother, explained that she doesn’t put much weight on the results.
“I’m really happy with my child's results, he is a bright kid and his school results and NAPLAN results reflect this.
“My kids go to Mt Carmel and none of them have been stressed before the exam, saying that the school doesn't place much emphasis on the exam at all. I think the exams are great from another perspective than just the school,” Ms Brine said.
Sharon Anderson has a daughter in year 7 and explained that it is a very stressful year for kids without the extra pressure of national exams.
“My daughter was so stressed, she did well in the exams and she is a good kid but this is the same year the kids are experiencing a whole different way of schooling. It is a lot of pressure,” Ms Anderson said.
