NAPLAN – Big test for little kids which needs to be changed to reduce anxiety and stress for all students
Announcement posted by Invigorate PR 12 Mar 2025
If you're a parent of a school student in Year 3, 5, 7, or 9 your child is probably sitting the NAPLAN test this month.
The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a yearly test that measures Australian students' literacy and numeracy skills. While it provides some insight into a child's learning progress, many students find it a stressful experience.
"Education is a journey. One big test shouldn't determine a child's value or future every couple of years, nor should it cause undue stress, but unfortunately, for many children, it does," Michael Black said.
"This is compounded by the fact that students undertake the testing in March and don't get the results until many months later. In this time, many kids carry the anxiety and curiosity of wanting to know how well they went. By the time they get the results, their learning progress has often changed greatly.
"For this reason the system is floored and the results really are not an accurate indication of how well a student is learning. In primary school where there is little homework, NAPLAN testing is a big event for young students.
"If the government was serious about understanding the state of learning across the country, why not undertake an hourly online test for students every year instead of the current NAPLAN regime which involves up to four tests over three to four days within a week for only years 3, 5, 7 and 9."
Michael Black is a highly revered entrepreneur and business leader and the founder and CEO of Success Tutoring. The franchise group is achieving unparalleled growth with new centres opening across Australia every year. It launches into international markets this year with its first site opening in New Zealand this semester and further sites opening in the US a few months later. The Success Tutoring team is seeing many children not only turn their grades and enjoyment of school around, but also witnessing kids feeling better about themselves and experiencing an uplift in their whole demeanor.
"NAPLAN is an incredibly difficult time for many students. It causes a lot of stress and distress among children going through the testing process," Black said.
Black is calling on parents and educators to try and reduce the stress of NAPLAN on students and ensure they are aware that one big test does not determine a child's life or future.
Black explained that too much emphasis is placed on NAPLAN.
Unnecessary stress
"Over 80 percent of kids feel stressed during NAPLAN. This is a poor outcome for students and does nothing to inspire and uplift their experience with the education system," Black said.
NAPLAN over-rated
"NAPLAN is a big test but does not determine a child's future. It is simply a tool to guide how the education system can better support students and improve learning outcomes across the country," Black said.
"While it can assist to provide some guidance on how a child is progressing in the education system, if a classroom teacher does not know this within a few weeks of a student attending class, then this is a huge concern for the entire system.
"The problem is when a child's education progress is not properly identified or monitored and then not communicated appropriately in report cards or timely feedback to parents. This is one of the reasons why we strongly encourage parents to seek external help to ensure their child's learning journey is as tailored and supportive as possible."
Plenty of help available
"Parents should not be overly concerned by NAPLAN. Simple support strategies, such as tutoring, can help children identify areas where they need assistance and create a customised plan for improvement," Black emphasised.
Support your child during NAPLAN
"Ensure your child is well-prepared during NAPLAN by focusing on their well-being. Make sure they get plenty of sleep, eat well, receive lots of love and support and have a quiet and relaxed space to prepare if needed," Black added.
Michael Black is calling on parents to reassure their children that while NAPLAN may feel like a big test, it is not something to worry about. Education is about learning, embracing new concepts and enjoying the journey of knowledge.
About Success Tutoring
Founded by Michael Black in 2017, Success Tutoring is Australia's fastest growing education centre with multiple locations and a further 150 cities planned worldwide across New Zealand, Singapore, the US, Canada and the United Kingdom by 2026. The company offers weekly tutoring sessions in English and math for students aged five to 17, with a school readiness program for kids even younger, and selective school exam preparation tutoring also available. The Success Model not only empowers students to work at their own pace towards progress but also finds success in the social aspect of students coming together and working as a community of students to find motivation, inspiration and a lifelong love of learning.