Western Sydney University experts weigh in on NSW’s NAPLAN targets
Experts from Western Sydney University’s School of Education discuss NSW’s NAPLAN targets, stating that while the government is right in its approach to be ambitious in achieving these goals, these targets must be supported through appropriate resourcing, such as easing school shortages and supporting teacher professional development.
Professor Susanne Gannon, School of Education
Professor Susanne Gannon is Associate Dean of Education Research at Western Sydney University. She is an expert in educational research across a range of domains and methodologies. Much of her research focuses on equity issues in educational policy and practices. She is well known for innovative qualitative research methodologies.
"NSW Department of Education is right to be ambitious and committed to the success of students in their schools."
"However targets imposed on schools externally must be supported by appropriate resourcing.
"Whole school initiatives that focus on embedding writing across all areas of the curriculum, ensuring that all teachers know that literacy is part of their core business are most likely to contribute to improved student outcomes.
"However many other factors impacting on educational equity are obscured in the singular focus on average NAPLAN results."
Associate Professor Kay Carroll, School of Education
Associate Professor Kay Carrol is Deputy Dean of Education at Western Sydney University. Her research and teaching interests are on curriculum and pedagogy in schools, and has contributed towards studies on the importance of data in teaching and learning.
"Improving the critical literacy and numeracy of all students is important."
"However, quantifying growth and demanding teachers raise the bar in the classroom denies teacher expertise and opportunities to develop embedded authentic and relevant literacy and numeracy tasks for their students."
Dr Jennifer Dove, School of Education
Dr Jennifer Dove is an associate lecturer in secondary education at Western Sydney University. Her research has investigated English and writing assessment in Australian secondary schools.
"In a time of understaffed schools, increasing these expectations will only lead to more teaching to the test at the expense of critical literacy so crucial in response to gen AI, mis/disinformation, etc."
"Other interpretations of the NAPLAN data show no decline in results (Larsen 2024), suggesting that the Department could focus on other important aspects of education like equity and valuing teacher professionalism."
ENDS
6 March 2025
Image Credit: Pixabay
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