Victorian Schools Protest Against New Literacy Tests

The Age, Farrah Tomazin, 16/09/09

The Victorian Principals’ Association (VPA) has criticised plans by the Victorian Government for children to undertake a new literacy test. Over October and November, students in years Prep to 2 in Victorian government schools will take part in the online test of their reading, writing, speaking and listening abilities. The VPA claimed that schools would need to allocate up to 60 minutes per child to undertake the test, taking time from classroom studies and requiring additional school resources for casual relief teachers. The VPA estimated that schools would need approximately $1.2 million to conduct the assessment process. The Victorian Minister for Education, The Hon. Bronwyn Pike, MLA, argued that the assessment was required because ‘parents expect that teachers have the most comprehensive information at hand to better provide individualised teaching for their children’. She also stated that the assessment would allow ‘better targeted teaching and individualised help for students needing extra help’.

 

 

 

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