Who is Exempt from NAPLAN?

Who is Exempt from NAPLAN?

Introduction

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a standardized test that is administered to students in Australia in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. The test assesses students’ skills in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar, and punctuation), and numeracy.

While NAPLAN is mandatory for all students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9, there are some exceptions. Students who meet certain criteria may be exempt from taking NAPLAN.

Exemption Criteria

The following students are exempt from taking NAPLAN:

• Students who are enrolled in a school that is not registered with the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).
• Students who are enrolled in a school that is located in a remote or isolated area and does not have access to the internet.
• Students who have a disability that prevents them from participating in NAPLAN.
• Students who are new to Australia and have not been in an Australian school for more than one year.
• Students who are in the process of learning English as a second language and have not been in an Australian school for more than three years.
• Students who are in their final year of secondary school and are undertaking a vocational education and training (VET) program.

Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities who are unable to participate in NAPLAN may be eligible for an exemption. To be eligible for an exemption, the student must have a disability that is recognized by the Disability Standards for Education 2005.

Students from Remote or Isolated Areas

Students who are enrolled in a school that is located in a remote or isolated area and does not have access to the internet may be eligible for an exemption from NAPLAN. To be eligible for an exemption, the school must be located in an area that meets the following criteria:

• The school is located more than 50 kilometers from the nearest town with a population of more than 1,000 people.
• The school does not have access to a reliable internet connection.

New Arrivals to Australia

Students who are new to Australia and have not been in an Australian school for more than one year may be eligible for an exemption from NAPLAN. To be eligible for an exemption, the student must have arrived in Australia within the past 12 months.

Students Learning English as a Second Language

Students who are in the process of learning English as a second language and have not been in an Australian school for more than three years may be eligible for an exemption from NAPLAN. To be eligible for an exemption, the student must be enrolled in an English language learning program.

Students in VET Programs

Students who are in their final year of secondary school and are undertaking a VET program may be eligible for an exemption from NAPLAN. To be eligible for an exemption, the student must be enrolled in a VET program that is accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).

Application for Exemption

Parents or guardians of students who meet the exemption criteria can apply for an exemption from NAPLAN. The application must be submitted to the school principal. The school principal will then forward the application to ACARA.

ACARA will review the application and make a decision on whether or not to grant an exemption. If an exemption is granted, the student will not be required to take NAPLAN.

Conclusion

NAPLAN is a mandatory test for all students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. However, there are some students who are exempt from taking NAPLAN. These students include students with disabilities, students from remote or isolated areas, new arrivals to Australia, students learning English as a second language, and students in VET programs.

If you believe that your child may be eligible for an exemption from NAPLAN, you should contact your child’s school principal.