NAP – Science Literacy report released

Today ACARA has released the latest National Assessment Program (NAP) – Science Literacy report that shows Australian Year 6 students’ science literacy levels have remained static since students were last assessed.

Data from the NAP – science literacy assessments, held in late 2015, show little change in national performance levels in terms of both average student achievement and the proportion of students performing at or above the proficient standard. The proficient standard is set at a challenging level, and only just over half (55.1 per cent) of Year 6 students reached or exceeded it.

“The results show there is no statistically significant difference between the 2006 and 2015 results at the national level, or across most Australian states and territories. There are two exceptions to this: Tasmania, where results are significantly higher than observed in 2009; and Western Australia, which has maintained its significant improvement from 2006 – first seen in their 2012 results,” said ACARA CEO, Robert Randall.

“The NAP – Science Literacy report gives valuable insight into the level of science knowledge, understandings and skills Year 6 students have developed. The results from this assessment, along with those from PISA and TIMSS (for which comprehensive reports were released today, following the high-level results late last year) highlight the need for improvements in primary school science teaching.

“That is why this report includes a chapter prepared specifically for teachers and curriculum specialists. It contains suggestions about how to improve science learning in the classroom, using the Australian Curriculum, such as sample classroom lessons and activities, and ways of tracking and measuring student achievement against the Science learning area,” said Mr Randall.

Visit the ACARA website to read more about the findings.

Visit the NAP website to read the full report.