Memo
Queensland Studies Authority
Page 1 of 2
16 July 2010 Number: 051/10
Prep – Year 9
Dates for 2011 National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests
Purpose
To advise principals, administrators and teachers of the dates for the 2011 NAPLAN tests.
Background
The National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) commenced in Australian schools in 2008. Every year, all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in all states and territories sit the same literacy and numeracy tests at the same time.
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) will manage the 2011 NAPLAN tests. A Test Administration Authority in each state or territory has the responsibility for the implementation and administration of the NAPLAN tests. The Queensland Studies Authority is the Test Administration Authority for all Queensland schools, and will coordinate the administration, marking and reporting of the assessments.
The tests will assess students in the areas of literacy (reading, writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar) and numeracy (number, measurement, chance and data, space; algebra function and pattern, and working mathematically).
Dates
The 2011 NAPLAN tests will be conducted in all Queensland schools on Tuesday 10, Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 May.
The tests will be conducted over three days.
Schools that have a gazetted holiday on any of the scheduled test days must apply to the QSA for a variation to the test dates. A variance request form will be available on the QSA website in 2011.
Participation
All eligible students in Years 3, 5, 7 or Year 9 enrolled at State, Catholic or Independent schools in Queensland must sit the tests unless they are exempt or withdrawn by parents/carers.
A Year 3, Year 5, Year 7 or Year 9 student is one who is:
enrolled in Years 3, 5, 7 or 9 and recorded as such in the admission register, or
recorded as ungraded but undertaking a Year 3, Year 5, Year 7 or Year 9 program, or
of equivalent chronological age to a “typical” Year 3, 5, 7 or 9 student and involved in a special education facility or program.
10B0BDates for 2011 National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests 16 July 2010 | Page 2 of 2
Preparation
Past NAPLAN test materials are available from ACARA’s National Assessment Program website
<www.naplan.edu.au>. Other test preparation materials are available on the QSA website:
<www.qsa.qld.edu.au>. Select Prep-Year 9 > NAPLAN (Years 3, 5, 7 and 9).
Administration
The QSA will send a monthly newsletter to schools to keep them informed of issues relating to the NAPLAN tests. In early March, all schools will receive copies of a test preparation handbook outlining the national protocols for the test administration.
What you need to do
Ensure that all relevant staff are aware of the test dates.
Avoid booking camps, excursions or sporting events for this period.
Inform parents and carers of the test dates so that family commitments are not planned for the test week.
Apply in writing to the QSA for a variation if the school has a gazetted holiday on any of the scheduled test days.
More information
If you would like more information, please email NAPLAN.tests@qsa.qld.edu.au, or phone 3864 0210.
Peter Jordan
Acting Deputy Director
Student Achievement Division
