High quality student assessment helps us know that learning is taking place. Assessment is most effective when it is an integral part of teaching and learning programs.
The National Literacy Learning Progression provides support for teachers in planning assessment opportunities to observe students’ reading behaviours and monitor learning and progress. Through formal and informal assessment practices teachers can identify patterns in student growth and plan their teaching to address their students’ needs.
PLAN2 is aligned to the literacy learning progression and can be used to record observations of students’ literacy capabilities. This tool can be used by teachers in all key learning areas to analyse student needs and teaching priorities. Secondary teachers can create an Area of focus in PLAN2 to support monitoring of reading development in the context of NSW syllabus outcomes.
NAPLAN is an annual assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. NAPLAN reading data can be used by teachers to know and understand student strengths and weaknesses and to plan for effective teaching and learning.
The Check-in assessment is an online reading and numeracy assessment for students in Years 3–9. The reading assessment is mapped to the NSW syllabuses and the National Literacy Learning Progression. The data from this assessment can be used by schools to strengthen teaching and learning practices and to inform whole school literacy priorities.
The HSC Results Analysis Package (RAP) can be used by teachers and principals to compare their school’s performance to State candidature in an HSC course. Through question-by-question analysis and historical course comparisons teachers can reflect on and assess how their Stage 6 students read and responded to exam questions. This data can be used by teachers and schools to strengthen teaching and learning practices, programs and assessments, and inform future school literacy priorities.
Short reading assessments are available for Stages 4 and 5. These assessments are aligned with the National Literacy Learning Progression and NSW syllabus outcomes. Teachers can group together or modify these short assessments to suit the learning needs of their students. Teachers can use the information from these assessments to inform planning and programming, as well as provide immediate feedback to their students.
Assessment resources: