COUNTDOWN FOR LAST STATE LITERACY AND NUMERACY TESTS

Years 3, 5 and 7 students throughout Queensland will sit for the final state-based literacy and numeracy tests this week, before national testing begins next year.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the state-based tests developed by the Queensland Studies Authority would be replaced by nationally developed common tests.

“From 2008 students in Years 3, 5, 7, and for the first time in Queensland, Year 9, will sit uniform tests on the same days as students from the rest of Australia,” Mr Welford said.

“The Beattie Government is committed to improving the literacy and numeracy skills of young Queenslanders.

“State and territory governments have been working with the Federal Government to implement national common tests next May.

“This testing program will enable better comparisons of Queensland students with those in other states.

“All Australian students will be assessed equally against national benchmarks.”

Mr Welford said this year around 165,000 students from all state and most non-state schools would be examined on Queensland’s English and mathematics syllabuses and other key learning areas.

“The tests cover reading, writing, spelling, numbers, data, measurement and spatial reasoning,” he said.

“Literacy and numeracy skills are the building blocks of learning, and are vital for young Queenslanders’ success in education, the workplace and society.

“These tests are one way of assessing whether students have these basic skills.

“They help teachers to identify students’ strengths, determine where students need attention and identify areas for improvement in curriculum and learning programs.”

The numeracy tests will be held on Tuesday 21 August and the literacy tests on Wednesday 22 August. Test papers consist of multiple choice, open-ended questions and a writing task.

Students who are absent from school on the tests days can sit the papers on 23 and 24 August. Schools will forward test results and an explanatory letter to parents in November.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000