Queensland’s NAPLAN results positive for another year

Education Minister Grace Grace said the NAPLAN 2019 summary results, released by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) today, were positive for Queensland.

“I congratulate the 244,000 Queensland school students in Years 3,5,7 and 9 who completed the NAPLAN tests in May,” Ms Grace said.

“I’d also like to thank all the teachers, teacher aides, parents and carers who helped to prepare our students for the tests in 2019.”

Ms Grace said the 2019 NAPLAN results showed Queensland students continue to perform well in a number of key areas.

“This year’s results continue to confirm Queensland as one of the most improved states since testing began in 2008,” Ms Grace said.

“It is great to see our students improving in 17 of 20 NAPLAN test areas against National Minimum Standard, Mean Scale Score and Upper two Bands.”

Ms Grace said that Queensland’s improvement over time had been acknowledged nationally and showed that the Palaszczuk Government’s record investment and continued focus on education was paying dividends and would continue.

“Labor’s vision to introduce an extra year of schooling through prep continues to pay dividends and in 2016, the Palaszczuk Government ensured prep was compulsory for all students,” she said.

“And we continue to invest in Queensland students and teachers. The 2019-20 State Budget includes a record $13.8 billion budget for education, up six per cent on the previous year.

“This includes funding for 1000 extra teachers as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to employ 3700 additional teachers over four years. We will also employ an additional 200 teacher aides over the next 12 months.

“We will also invest a massive $1.5 billion on new and enhanced education infrastructure at schools right across Queensland ensuring our kids are getting a world-class education in great facilities.”

Ms Grace said that in the absence of leadership from the Morrison Government, the Queensland Government had committed to participating in a further cross-jurisdictional review of NAPLAN with New South Wales and Victoria.

She said the Federal Government could not continue to ignore the concerns of parents, teachers and students, and other states and territories. 

“After more than 10 years, it’s time for a comprehensive national review of NAPLAN to ensure it remains current and responsive to changes in education,” she said.

“Queensland is still proud to be the star performer when it comes to NAPLAN.”

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Media contact: Scott Chandler - 0439 578 472