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Part Two: NAPLAN results haven’t collapsed but media interpretations have

Two-part article addressing claims made about NAPLAN data.

There are media reports indicating NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) results in Australia have significantly declined. These interpretations may not accurately reflect the data or Australia’s educational context. In 2023, ACARA shifted from a 10-band framework to a 4-level proficiency standard while also moving NAPLAN online to an adaptive framework. This change compressed achievement categories leading to more students placed at a below proficiency standard, though the actual achievement did not decline. The ‘Strong’ proficiency now corresponds to higher past bands, so students previously considered solid performers are now labelled "Developing" without a drop in skills. There have also been changes in reporting and comparisons. The new proficiency standards are year specific, removing direct vertical comparisons across year levels that the old bands allowed. Raw scores still enable comparison, but standards do not. NAPLAN results have not declined significantly rather, changes in reporting frameworks and statistical interpretations have caused confusion.

Reference: Marchbank, T & Larsen,S. Part Two: NAPLAN results haven’t collapsed but media interpretations have. (2025, August 12). Edu Research Matters

Part two: NAPLAN Results Haven’t Collapsed – But Media Interpretations Have

Keywords: Assessment | Literacy Across the Curriculum | NAPLAN | Policy

Resource Added: 31 August, 2025

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