[~*Kathy*~]

Hiya,

Both my kids DD (grade 4) and DS (grade 1) have come home saying they completed tests with their class over the last couple of days. DD commented that the test was similar to the NAPLAN, in that she had to shade "little bubbles" to indicate her answers.

Anyone know what these tests are? Just curious.

This post has been edited by ~*Kathy*~: 01/02/2013, 04:52 PM

[CleverChook]

Most likely Naplan practice tests. State schools seem particularly fond of them. My DD attends a Catholic school and hasn't sighted one yet, but the govt school where I teach is doing some practices.

This post has been edited by CleverChook: 01/02/2013, 04:28 PM

[cantstayaway]

My kids tend to waste most of term 1 preparing for Naplan in May in years 3, 5, 7. Also expect lots of persuasive essay writing practice.

[Bryden]

My DS (year 5) has also started doing practice NAPLANs! TBH - I'm a little annoyed, he's already being pushed to be prepared for this test. He spent part of his birthday money (I'm going to reimburse him though!) on the study book. He's only 10 years old FGS - and from what I understand the test isn't ging to change/affect his education at all?!

[~*Kathy*~]

It seems strange that they would commence with NAPLAN preparation in first term of Grade 1 and 4, considering these grades don't partake in NAPLAN.

It sounds like it was quite a formal test. DD said the test yesterday was referred to as a "comprehension" test.

[~*Kathy*~]

Bryden, I can't believe they've already started practicing for the NAPLAN at your school!

Last year in grade 3 they took my DD and a few other top performers from the class each week and had them focus on NAPLAN testing for roughly 6 weeks out from testing. I was furious!

[CleverChook]

Bryden, I can't believe they've already started practicing for the NAPLAN at your school!

Last year in grade 3 they took my DD and a few other top performers from the class each week and had them focus on NAPLAN testing for roughly 6 weeks out from testing. I was furious!

It doesn't make much sense that they would take the top performers, who you'd expect to easily meet minimum standards. Are you sure it wasn't some other kind of testing?

[capper]

Our school, not in qld, is doing pat testing. It is personal achievement testing. It tells the teacher where each child is, where they are ahead, or where they need help. So, it is diagnostic. They do them again at the end of the year to see improvement on each child. They do them every year.

[baking101]

It could be any type of test, probably diagnostic, to sort out grouping and gaps in learning. It may well be PAT (Progressive Achievement Test) as PP mentioned. These look very similar to the NAPLAN papers or academic competitions.

My school used to be quite big on this (big Maths, Reading comprehension, oral Reading and Spelling tests in the first week of school) but we've stopped doing this because it only boosted anxiety and boredom levels. We do much sneakier (and authentic) assessment now

[~benita~]

My daughter at a NSW private also sat these sorts of tests this week. She is a Year 3 (so Naplan year) but said they had them last year as well. The teacher told me the are some "Nationally Standard testing used to guage ability".

She had a Maths, Spelling and Comprehension.