Many Australian parents will using this year’s NAPLAN results as a yardstick to determine the impact COVID-19 has had on their child’s learning progress, according to research undertaken by Cluey Learning.
Outlined in the report, 74 per cent of Australian parents whose children are undertaking NAPLAN this year feel that their child’s education was adversely affected by COVID-19, with 71 per cent of parents deeming it fair that the exams have been reinstated in 2021.
Nearly two thirds of the parents surveyed revealed they will be following this year’s results more closely than previous years and will be using them to identify any learning gaps that need to be addressed.
Chief learning officer Selina Samuels said last year’s disruption to schooling has really highlighted to parents the importance of understanding how each child is progressing in their learning.
“This was something that they found really hard to understand and address during lockdown. In particular, we are seeing renewed emphasis on fundamental literacy and numeracy skills that are foundational to further achievement,” Samuels said.
“In that context, NAPLAN plays an important role in benchmarking learning across the country, and preparation for the exams is a great way to focus on those skills in a structured way.”
In addition, the survey further reveals that more than two thirds of Australian parents feel their kids are already feeling anxious about NAPLAN with post-pandemic pressure.
Samuel stated that over half of parents have also admitted they are “dreading the NAPLAN period.”
NAPLAN will take place nationally for children in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 between the 11th and 21st of May 2021.
