Student Participation
All students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit the NAPLAN tests. However, there are some instances where students may be exempted from one or more of the NAPLAN tests or marked absent (for the purpose of the tests) or withdrawn from the tests. The National Protocols for Test Administration provide the framework for understanding student participation.
Exemptions
English language proficiency: Students with a language background other than English, who arrived from overseas and have been attending school for less than a year before the test, should be given the opportunity to participate in testing, but may be exempted. Principals can expect information from Test Administration Authorities on the preferred method for collecting and recording this information. Students may be exempt from one test (eg literacy) but still be able to participate in another test (eg Numeracy).
Students with disability: Adjustments are provided to students with disability, to support access to the tests and encourage maximum participation. See the section on adjustments for more information. Students with significant intellectual disability and/or those with significant co-existing conditions which severely limit their capacity to participate in the tests may be exempted from sitting the national tests. This is determined after consultation has occurred by the principal and the relevant parent/carer, and the student is not able to access the tests with adjustments.
Withdrawals
It is inappropriate to withdraw students from NAPLAN tests. However students may be withdrawn from the testing program by their parent/carer if there are religious beliefs or philosophical objections to testing. This is a matter for consideration by individual parents/carers in consultation with their child’s school. A formal application in the manner specified by the relevant Test Administration Authority must be received by the principal prior to the testing.
Absences
Absent students are students who did not sit the tests because they were not present at school when the test was administered or were unable to sit the test as a result of an accident or mishap, or who were at school but were too ill to participate. Principals are encouraged to enable the participation of students who were absent on the day of the test but who return to school within the week scheduled for NAPLAN testing.
Please view the National Protocols for Test Administration for more information or contact your local Test Administration Authority for further details on participating in the NAPLAN tests.