Cooking the books !

Politicians say they are surprised that the NAPLAN tests are producing skewed results.   The only surprise is that teachers are protecting their domain by using the same methods that politicians employ to filter news they give the public to show it in a good light.

NAPLAN tests students to determine the level of achievement in reading, writing and arithmetic in years 3, 5, 7 and 9.    It is controversial because some people claim that it will be used to grade schools in similar manner to a " Leagues table " - and consequently schools in underprivileged areas - and those with a big indigenous enrolment - will fare badly alongside their more affluent cousins.

It is now claimed that teachers have balanced the playing field by simply telling the kids who they know will test badly to stay at home - and miss the tests.  In particular, this occurs in the Northern Territory and inland communities with big Aboriginal populations.

This is a very reasonable outcome.  NAPLAN was lauded as a means of determining where problems exist - and consequently where money should be spent to elevate education levels to a nationalistic standard.
Teachers know that a bad school result will have a bearing on the grading of the staff at that school, and that will affect promotional prospects and all hope of climbing up the seniority ladder.

It never was a level playing field.  How can you compare a school in a working class area with a high mix of ethnic migrants and a sprinkling of indigenous residents - with one in an affluent area of high incomes - empowered with good playing fields, public transport and the amenities that flow from high house prices and consequently a rich council rates pool ?

And don't for one minute expect that teachers in such a location are not going to suggest that the school dunces play hookey on the day of NAPLAN tests either !    Everyone wants their school to look the best in tests that compare " good schools " against perceived " bad schools ".

The only way to ensure a level playing field is to demand that NAPLAN tests apply to every student registered in that year class.   If a student - or a whole heap of students are missing on test day - then the missing will simply be tested when they return.

Surely that should have been part of the deal when NAPLAN was first conceived !