NEW TOOLS TO BOOST LITERACY AND NUMERACY IN QLD

All Queensland students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will sit mandatory practice tests by March 20 to assess their literacy and numeracy levels, Premier Anna Bligh announced today.

This is one of several tools to be used to achieve a new goal of having Queensland students performing on par with the best in Australia, within three years.

Ms Bligh said Cabinet had accepted all six recommendations from the preliminary review of Queensland’s Education system by Professor Geoff Masters.

"Cabinet not only accepted all six recommendations – we went further in a couple of instances," she said.

Professor Masters was tasked with overhauling the State’s education system after results from last year’s National Assessment Program – Literary and Numeracy (NAPLAN) and Trends in International Maths and Science (TIMSS) tests showed Queensland students were lagging behind those in other states.

"I asked Professor Masters to provide preliminary advice before the start of the 2009 school year so that we could immediately begin work on improving Queensland students’ results in these vital learning areas," Ms Bligh said.

"One of his key recommendations is that the 2008 tests be used as an extra diagnostic tool for all students in Years 3, 5 and 7 in 2009.

"Cabinet thought this was a very good idea and extended the recommendation to year 9 students as well.

"We also decided to hold the tests in March to give students and teachers a flying start to the school year.

"Teachers will be able to use the test results to accurately assess the level of each student in their class, identify trends and any gaps in learning.

"This will allow them to focus their teaching so they are responding to the needs of all their students, at all levels, ensuring they have the best chance at success.

"Sitting these practice tests will also provide valuable experience for the students, so that they become used to this type of examination environment."

Ms Bligh said the Government will set a goal to have Queensland students reach the level of students in the highest-performing states in literacy, numeracy and science within three years.

"This goal is in line with my ambitious Toward Q2 education targets. It’s vital that we aim high and I’m determined to see our students reach the level of those in NSW and Victoria by 2012," she said.

"To achieve this goal we will provide teachers with online teaching resources and information about NAPLAN tests, along with detailed analysis of individual results by school, in line with Professor Masters’ recommendations.

"This is about giving teachers the tools they need to ensure students are learning what they need to know in literacy, numeracy and science at each year level."

The Premier said parents also will be able to access the NAPLAN tests, with

material available on the Queensland Studies Authority website by the end of the week.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said Professor Masters’ recommendations complemented the work already being undertaken in Queensland schools to boost literacy and numeracy results.

"Immediately following the release of the results last year, I requested a detailed audit of the data so we could get a clear idea of where we needed to improve," Mr Welford said.

"We have developed regional response plans and regional directors are working closely with principals to implement those plans.

"Item by item analysis of the tests at each level has been provided to individual schools so teachers and principals can identify which areas may require more attention.

"Education Queensland has also appointed a senior officer whose dedicated role is to work with principals and teachers to assess the data and make any changes needed.

"This officer will travel around the state meeting with clusters of principals throughout the next few months.

"We're working hard to give teachers and principals the best tools and information possible around NAPLAN, which will help them support students and boost results."