Student assessment and reporting
Learn how we monitor and report on student progress, including how we check if our students are keeping up with national and international standards.
In ACT public schools, we monitor, test and report on your child's progress in a number of ways.
Schools provide a report on your child's progress twice a year, usually at the end of terms 1 and 3.
There is also a program of national assessments, for both public and private schools. These check how Australian students are keeping up with national and international standards.
School reports
School reports are one way we keep you updated on your child's learning. We encourage you to meet with your child's teachers to discuss the report and ways you can support your child.
Other ways the school may keep you updated include:
- parent-teacher interviews and 3-way interviews (parent, child and teacher)
- learning journeys
- exhibitions
- performances
- portfolios.
Your preschool will report on your child's progress towards the 5 Learning Outcomes in the Early Years Learning Framework.
Your school will report on your child's progress towards achievement standards for each learning area or subject in the Australian Curriculum.
The Curriculum's Achievement Standards describe the knowledge, skills and understanding expected in each subject for their year level.
In kindergarten, teachers use a description to report on a child’s achievement against the standards.
In years 1 to 10, schools use the A-E scale to report student achievement:
- A shows outstanding achievement of what is expected
- B shows a high achievement of what is expected
- C shows the student achieved what is expected
- D shows that student partly achieved what is expected
- E shows limited achievement of what is expected
- S is reported when a situation has prevented the school from awarding an A-E grade (for example, illness or if the student started at the school recently).
If your child gets a 'C' grade, it means they have met the standard for that subject. This is based on the content they were taught during those terms.
If your child gets a ‘C’ in their next school report, they have made progress. They met the standard to learn more challenging material in the second half of the year.
Teachers write comments on the reports to give extra details on your child's strengths and areas for improvement.
National Assessment Program
The National Assessment Program administers:
- the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for years 3, 5, 7 and 9
- national sample tests of knowledge about science, civics and citizenship and information technology
- international tests that allow us to compare Australian students with other countries.
The results allow us to monitor our students' progress towards the Educational Goals for Young Australians.
The international tests allow us to compare our students' knowledge and skills against that of other countries.
National test of literacy and numeracy
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is:
- a yearly assessment, usually in March
- for students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9
- a snapshot of students' progress in literacy and numeracy.
NAPLAN tests students in the areas of:
- numeracy
- reading
- writing
- language conventions (spelling, punctuation and grammar).
Test results and student reports
NAPLAN releases test results and student reports in July or August. Schools can use these reports to inform teaching and learning programs.
Visit the NAPLAN website for more information, including:
- what gets tested
- sample tests
- adjustments for students with a disability.
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) manages the NAPLAN process. Visit the ACARA website for NAPLAN test dates for 2025 to 2029.
National sample assessments
Each year, the National Assessment Program tests a national sample of students in years 6 and 10.
The assessment tests students' knowledge and skills in:
- science
- civics and citizenship
- information and communication technology.
Read more about the National Assessment Program.
International assessments
The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests how well 15-year-olds can apply their reading, maths and science knowledge and skills to solve real-life problems. PISA tests are done every 3 years, in more than 80 countries.
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is done every 4 years. It tests students in year 4 and year 8 on their knowledge and skills in maths and science. ACT schools are randomly chosen to take part.
The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) is done every 5 years. It tests a sample of Year 4 students. ACT schools are randomly chosen to take part.