NAPLAN – Participation
- What additional support can schools provide for students with disability?
- Where can I get more information about adjustments for students with disability and exemptions?
- What happens if my child is sick on one of the test days?
- Are any students exempt from NAPLAN tests?
- What do I do if my child’s school suggests not participating in testing?
- Can I withdraw my child from the tests?
What additional support can schools provide for students with disability?
All students are encouraged to participate in NAPLAN tests. Students with disability may qualify for adjustments for students with disability which reflect the support normally provided in the classroom. Students who have a temporary injury may also be reasonably accommodated. Example scenarios showing the application of adjustments for students with disability permitted in the 2011 NAPLAN tests have been published.
A formal exemption may be granted for students who have severe or complex disabilities.
Where can I get more information about adjustments for students with disability and exemptions?
Your state Test Administration Authority and your school principal can provide you with more information on adjustments for students with disability or the process required to gain a formal exemption.
What happens if my child is sick on one of the test days?
Schools can organise for individual students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time during testing week.
Are any students exempt from NAPLAN tests?
Yes. Students can be exempted from one or more NAPLAN tests if they have significant or complex disability, or if they are from a non-English-speaking background and arrived in Australia less than one year before the tests. However, this is not automatic and parents may choose for their child to participate. Signed parent/carer consent forms are required for students to be exempted from the tests. All Australian governments have committed to promoting maximum participation of students in the national assessment process. Support can be provided for students with disability to participate in the NAPLAN tests. For more information, see Student Participation
What do I do if my child’s school suggests not participating in testing?
Students who are in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to participate in the testing. Please discuss your concerns with your child’s teacher or school principal. A decision to withdraw a student from the NAPLAN tests is the responsibility of the student’s parent/ carer, and not the school. If you are not satisfied with your school’s response, you can direct any further queries relating to the administration of the NAPLAN tests, including exclusions from the tests, to the Test Administration Authority in your state or territory.
Can I withdraw my child from the tests?
While participation by all students is encouraged, students may be withdrawn from the testing program by their parent/carer. This is a matter for consideration by individual parents/carers. Withdrawals are intended to address issues such as religious beliefs and philosophical objections to testing. A formal application in the manner specified for each state or territory must be received by the principal prior to the testing. Your principal can provide further information. For more information, see Student Participation
Use of Screen Readers
The use of adjustments for students with disability 'must not compromise assessment conditions or the rigour of the assessment standards' (NPTA 6.2). Consequently, screen readers that provide text-to-speech outputs are not permitted for the Reading and Language Conventions tests, which assess reading and skills based on reading. Screen readers providing text-to Braille outputs are permitted.