"We support the provision of useful information for parents," says Council President Viv Pearce. "Standardised tests such as NAPLAN are part of this, but parents should remember that they are a narrow and incomplete way to assess a school's performance when taken in isolation."

Schools are not defined by the results of one test on one day, focusing on one part of the curriculum. In assessing a school, there is no substitute for visiting the school, speaking to the principal and teachers, observing students and talking to other parents.
"I would urge parents to discuss with their school any concerns they might have, but not to put too much emphasis on an individual number like a NAPLAN score," said Ms Pearce.
"Parents receive school reports with detailed and useful information about their child's performance. Parents appreciate such information so they can work in partnership with teachers and make informed decisions about learning," she said.

Council opposes the public reporting of the results of individual schools and public comparisons of these results.

"We need to resist the idea of a league table," said Ms Pearce. "You can't rank schools from 1 to 1000 based on a single number. There are too many factors to take into account. In addition, a league table only shows where students are now, not how far they have come, so a school's good work with disadvantaged students is hidden."

March 5, 2014