Australia needs a new national assessment system rather than reforms to the current NAPLAN system, according to a new report from the Gonski Institute for Education.
The new closing the gap targets are ambitious, especially in the area of early childhood education. But this doesn't mean they can't be met, with the right approach.
Pasi Sahlberg is professor of education policy and deputy director of the Gonski Institute at UNSW. The Finnish educator and author has advised on education reforms around the world.
New research shows the community wants a range of skills other than those that relate to 'stressful' Year 12 exams to also be considered for university entry assessment.
The damaging effects of NAPLAN could be avoided by moving to sample testing of students, says a submission to governments by the Gonski Institute for Education at UNSW Sydney.
Report from Gonski Institute for Education at UNSW Sydney calculates that Australia could add more than $50 billion to its annual GDP by focusing on students outside major cities.
