This week was a hectic one in school. Dani’s school year (3) did their first NAPLAN tests. I had no idea what it was all about even though I did read the email from the school.

First of all what does it stand for? I knew it had to be an acronym so when the school email clearly assumed we knew what it was (when we didn’t), I had to look it up.

It stands for: National Assessment Program – Literacy And Numeracy (NAPLAN). the three-yearly sample assessments in science literacy, civics and citizenship, and information and communication technology (ICT) literacy, and participation in international sample assessments.

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is the independent statutory authority responsible for the overall management of the Australian National Assessment Program, in collaboration with representatives from all states and territories and non-government school sectors.

NAPLAN is an annual assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It tests the essential skills for the kids to progress through school and life. The tests cover skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. These assessments take place every year in the second full week in May.

So there you go. Now you know as much as me.

Some of the parents were getting worked up about it but I was not bothered. This is for the national government to see how those age groups overall are learning – or not! I think they have similar things in UK schools now (definitely not when I was in school!). I think they may be called SATS? Anyway, I was not worried and nor was Dani. I will probably write something about the results – if we ever get to see them…

He said it was easy. But then he has said that about other tests in the past and not performed that well. But as I am sure I have mentioned before I can see that his reading and writing is quite good so I am not really concerned. I am particularly impressed with his spelling – for  seven year old – what with English being a complete bastard of a language when it comes to spelling!