As NAPLAN data becomes available to schools and parents in the coming months, amidst various media articles and commentaries that translate data into indicators of success and areas for improvement, there will inevitably be conversations about data and its purpose and value in informing families, teachers, and schools. Data cannot answer questions for us, but it is a valuable tool for us in doing so.
There are some who criticise the imperfection of NAPLAN, such as it being merely a point-in-time measure. But NAPLAN is a valuable source of data for teachers and parents to help identify and support students who require intervention and targeted assistance; it better informs decisions. It sits alongside the various measures and assessments that schools use to ensure our students are developed academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
At these times, it is worth remembering that transparent reporting and clear data add to our ability to best educate our children. It is important to measure progress, and it is important in improving decisions. It is also essential to a core principle of Catholic education: parental and family choice in education. Parents and carers must be free to choose education based on their values and aspirations. The more information that informs these choices, the more it helps families make decisions about their child’s education and allows them to find the right fit for their family.
The Hon. Scott Ryan
Executive Director
National Catholic Education Commission
Photo: MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter, Qld.
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