NAPLAN Online FAQs
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 123 No 2, 9 March 2018, p10
Should I attend training days so I am prepared for implementation in 2019?
The training days are considered a readiness activity and constitute “other preparations” under the QTU directive. Therefore, members should not participate. The Education Council has agreed to defer the national roll-out of the NAPLAN Online test until 2020, so there is no requirement to implement the online test next year.
Why ban NAPLAN Online when it can save us time and effort?
The QTU has identified a series of concerns, including equity issues, the need for preparation programs addressing student ICT skills, disruption to schools during the testing period, and insufficient ICT hardware and bandwidth. It is also absurd to start implementing an online testing regime when we are calling for a complete review of the total NAPLAN testing regime. Education Minister Grace Grace also supports a national review.
What about the officers placed in regions to support this initiative?
The QTU acknowledges the prolonged preparation and hard work put in by many central office and regional office staff to get this trial off the ground, and has sought guarantees that they will be treated favourably for placements back in schools.
Why are we the only state to ban it?
Queensland has been the leader in terms of testing the functionality and the platform. Last year, the NAPLAN Online team in central office identified a series of go/no go dates, beyond which the trial should not proceed. Their advice about the ongoing issues with the test meant that then Education Minister Kate Jones pulled Queensland students out of the trial, and several other states followed. If we led the way last year, we can do so again this year.
Won’t Queensland students be disadvantaged if we do not proceed?
Members will continue to prepare for the NAPLAN pen and paper test. No student or school will be disadvantaged because of this action.
What if I am directed to administer the online test?
The Minister has explicitly stated that no school would be forced to participate. Unfortunately, a few department officials are calling teachers to intimidate and frighten them into not following the directive. If this occurs to you, please take the name and position of the official so the QTU can convey this information directly to the Minister. Call 3512 9000 immediately and ask for Leah Mertens.