NAPLAN testing was introduced into Australian schools in 2008, as an annual test for students in years 3,5,7 and 9 ("Home | NAP," n.d.). The testing was introduced to ensure students are up to required curricular standards and to also increase student standards, however it is highly debated whether it has done so, despite having government approval. It is a relatively new concept in Australian schools and there is not a large quantity of statistical evidence. However, with evidence that exists, this essay will discuss the impact it has on students, teachers and schools.

Student impact
International research and studies conducted on NAPLAN testing show it has unintended consequences on students at such a young age. (Lobascher, 2011). Students …show more content…
Teacher pedagogy is changed at the time of NAPLAN testing; teachers are forced to change their methods in order to cater for the testing. As stated previously, the aspiration to gain positive testing results is due to the reward, which is government funding (Lobascher, 2011). Government funding can bring new, modern equipment in to the classroom for teachers to use, which will assist in their teaching and further advance their abilities (Caldwell & Vaughan, 2012). Teacher’s also want to gain positive testing results so it reflects positively on them as a teaching group, easing the pressure from the upper hierarchies of schools. Teacher perceptions from Australia and from international research show that NAPLAN testing is not having the desired impact in schools, due to the pressure placed on teachers (Thompson & Harbaugh, 2013, p. 301). Because teachers are teaching to the test, and are restricted in what they can teach, they may lose interest in their profession, as the curricular focus is narrowed to just NAPLAN testing items (Thompson & Harbaugh, 2013, p. 304). A secondary teacher from Ellenbrook Secondary College, states “I haven’t taught to the test, however, I have seen teachers teach to the test.” (personal communication, April 2016). If students achieve negative results, then the blame is put on the teachers. The blame on teachers derives from the publishing of results on the MySchool website, in which each …show more content…
Teachers are forced to change their teaching methods to cater for the testing and feel enormous pressure to gain desired results in order to gain government funding. The pressure on the teachers is placed on them by the school, who also suffers negative consequences for poor student results. If a school’s results place them below the required curricular standard, then student enrolments may decrease. It will also restrict schools from enhancing the learning opportunities available. Publishing of results on the MySchool website do not do teachers, students or schools any justice. The pressure placed on schools derives from the manner in which the results are published. Results need to be distributed in a more discrete manner. This way, parents can see if their child is underperforming, or the school. Possible solutions for NAPLAN testing are; More testing throughout the year, one test does not offer an accurate sample size of results, there also needs to be different types of testing, to cater for all learning styles, as all students do not learn the same. Lastly, there needs to be support resources for students, such as a spokesperson from ACARA, or a school councilor who the students can speak to at the time of NAPLAN testing. If all of these factors can be implemented in the future, NAPLAN testing will have