12 May 2017
Year 9 NAPLAN and the HSC minimum standard
8 May 2017
Media release
Students around the country in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will this week sit the annual NAPLAN tests in reading, writing and numeracy.
For Year 9 students in NSW, this is the first of a number of opportunities they will have to demonstrate the new HSC minimum standard for 2020.
"Some advanced Year 9s will achieve a Band 8 result in one or more of their reading, writing and numeracy tests this week. This is a fantastic result and shows they are already at the minimum standard we expect for the HSC in one or more areas" said NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) CEO David de Carvalho.
"But I want to assure all Year 9 students that you will have the opportunity to sit your HSC exams regardless of your NAPLAN results. You have three more years of learning, and many more opportunities to reach the standard by the HSC."
NESA modelling suggests the majority of Year 9 students will pre-qualify for the HSC minimum standard in at least one of the three areas via the upcoming NAPLAN tests, and that the vast majority will demonstrate the HSC minimum standard in all three areas by Year 12.
"NESA understands that students learn at different rates and we expect that the majority of students will be sitting at least one of the short, online reading, writing and numeracy tests in years 10, 11 or 12," Mr de Carvalho said.
"Students are going to need adequate reading, writing and numeracy skills to make sure they can do things like compare discounted goods, write a job application and follow written instructions to operate equipment safely."
The new online literacy and numeracy tests will be available from 2018 following a pilot planned for later this year. Teachers will work with students to decide when they are ready to attempt each test and once each test is passed it will not have to be sat again.
The HSC minimum standard is part of the NSW Government's Stronger HSC Standards announced in 2016.
Video available at https://youtu.be/zec61nOzB34
NAPLAN Information (pdf 985 KB)
FACT SHEET: THE HSC MINIMUM STANDARD
What
- A minimum standard of literacy and numeracy will be required to receive the HSC from 2020.
Why
- The HSC minimum standard is set at a level of literacy and numeracy that will support students in meeting the academic requirements of their HSC subjects, and day-to-day life after school.
- Regardless of a student's plans beyond school, they are going to need adequate reading, writing and numeracy skills to make sure they can do things like:
- take meeting notes and complete official documents.
- write a job application
- prepare an invoice
- follow operating instructions in equipment manuals o compare prices and understand percentages
- understand interest rates and lending offers
- work out quantities and measurements
- manage personal budgets
- understand and write routine workplace instructions
- navigate websites
New online reading, writing and numeracy tests
- Most students will demonstrate the minimum standard by passing new, short online reading, writing and numeracy tests in the lead up to the HSC.
- These tests will take place at school, and students will have two opportunities a year to pass them in Years 10, 11 and 12. They will also be able to take them for a few years after they leave school.
- Students don't have to pass all three tests at once. Students will decide with their teachers when they are ready to attempt each test.
- Once a student passes each online test they don't have to sit it again.
- The online tests are adaptive which means students will be asked questions appropriate to their skill level. This improves the student's test experience, decreasing stress associated with being asked questions beyond one's capability.
- Sample questions available: https://hscliteracynumeracy.nesa.nsw.edu.au/
Year 9 NAPLAN and the HSC minimum standard
- NAPLAN tests are designed to provide teachers, students and parents with valuable information about how a student's learning is progressing and if support is needed.
- It is not true that students who don't get Band 8s in Year 9 NAPLAN this year can't sit their HSC.
- NAPLAN is a chance to check how a student is tracking towards the HSC minimum standard or, for more advanced students, to prequalify for the HSC minimum standard with Band 8s or higher.
- We know students learn at different rates, and Year 9 students have three more years of learning before the HSC.
- Year 9 NAPLAN is the first of a number of opportunities students will have to demonstrate the HSC minimum standard.
- If a student achieves Band 8 or above NAPLAN results in all three areas this year, they will have achieved the minimum level of reading, writing and numeracy skills required to receive their HSC in 2020, and will not be required to do any of the online tests.
- The NSW Education Standards Authority expects that the majority of students will be sitting at least one of the three new online tests starting in Year 10.
Students who don't demonstrate the minimum standard by Year 12
- Requiring a minimum standard of literacy and numeracy for the HSC provides assurance to the community that students with a HSC have the basic skills for success in life.
- Regardless of whether students attain the HSC minimum standard or not, students will be able to sit their HSC exams and receive their HSC course results.
- Students who don't attain the HSC minimum standard will receive a Record of School Achievement.
- Students will have a few more years after completing Year 12 to meet the minimum standard and receive their HSC certificate.
Support and resourcing to help students meet standard
- Literacy and numeracy skills are a priority for all schools from Kindergarten to the HSC.
- Quality teaching of the NSW curriculum is the best way to prepare students to meet the standard.
- The day-to-day work of teachers involves identifying students who need learning support, and tailoring programs to help them improve their knowledge and skills.
- The $340 million NSW Literacy and Numeracy Strategy 2017-2020 provides further support for the early identification of students at risk of not meeting the minimum standard.
Students with disabilities and exemptions
- Students with a learning, sensory or physical disability will be able to access disability provisions to provide them with a fair opportunity to respond to the online literacy and numeracy tests.
- Students with an intellectual disability undertaking Life Skills English or Mathematics courses will be exempt from the HSC minimum standard requirement.
- An exemptions policy will be released by the end of 2017.
More information, short animated video and resources for students, parents and schools available on the NESA website.