One in three school students not meeting numeracy and literacy expectations, NAPLAN results show

One in three school students throughout Australia are not meeting minimum numeracy and literacy expectations, and one in ten are so far behind they need additional support, new NAPLAN data shows. Key points: The 2023 NAPLAN results are the first assessed under a new, tougher set of criteria Ten per cent of students have been assessed as needing additional numeracy and literacy support to meet expected standards Experts say the new system gives a clearer picture of how many students are falling behind The 2023 results — assessed under a tougher, revamped set of criteria — also show Indigenous, rural and lower socio-economic students lagged behind their peers. The new NAPLAN standards Achievement is now categorised into four proficiency levels, set by expert panels of specialist teachers, instead of numerical bands: Exceeding: result exceeds expectations at the time of testing Strong: result meets challenging but reasonable expectations at the time of testing Developing: result indicates the student is working towards expectations at the time of testing Needs additional support: result indicates student is not achieving the learning outcomes expected at the time of testing and are likely to need help to progress "We have raised the minimum standard students are now expected to meet, so we can really identify the students who need additional support provide them with that support." The 2023 results also showed: About a third of Indigenous students 'need additional support', compared to the overall ten per cent Average NAPLAN scores for all year levels and all domains for students from the highest socio-educational background were substantially above those from the lowest Half as many students in very remote schools were rated as 'strong' or 'exceeding' in any domain or year level compared to those in major city schools "We do need to improve on that track record or else poor achievement at the start of schooling is going to determine poor achievement throughout all years of schooling," Mr Fahey said.