Politics · Australia · 7 hrs ago
NSW seeks return to paper NAPLAN writing tests from 2028
New South Wales plans to seek a return to paper writing tests for some students taking NAPLAN, Australia’s national school assessment.
The state will ask national education ministers to end computer-based writing tests for students in years 5, 7 and 9 from 2028.
Those students currently write their tests on computers, while year 3 students already take the writing test on paper.
NAPLAN moved online in 2018 to allow more precise testing and faster results, but experts say handwriting can support learning and that computer tests may disadvantage younger students.
The proposal aims to strengthen students’ writing skills, though experts also say schools should maintain keyboard teaching and make accommodations for students with additional needs.
The change needs approval from the Commonwealth, states and territories before it can go ahead.
New South Wales will ask national education ministers to return NAPLAN writing tests for years 5, 7 and 9 to paper from 2028.
The proposal needs support from the Commonwealth, states and territories.
Writing tests for year 3 students are already completed on paper, while older students take them on computers.
NAPLAN moved to online testing in 2018.
Education experts cited the importance of handwriting for learning and said handwritten tests could better match students’ classroom work.
- Who
- The New South Wales government is proposing the change, with Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car presenting the request.
- What
- It wants year 5, 7 and 9 NAPLAN writing tests to return to paper from 2028.
- When
- The proposal is for 2028; NSW was due to ask national education ministers on November 1, 2026.
- Where
- New South Wales, as part of the national NAPLAN testing system.
- Why
- Prue Car cited a national decline in writing skills and concerns about prolonged technology use in schools. Experts also said handwriting supports learning and that classroom work is often done by hand.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
NAPLAN first moved to online testing to allow more precise testing and faster results.
The New South Wales government was due to ask national education ministers to move years 5, 7 and 9 writing tests back to paper from 2028.
- Proposed start
- 2028
- Affected year levels
- Years 5, 7 and 9
- Current paper writing test
- Year 3
- Online testing began
- 2018
- Approval needed
- Commonwealth, states and territories
What people are saying
Thinking with a pencil, as we used to say, is very, very critical,
We need to support students to become hybrid writers,
We're listening to teachers and families who want a sensible, balanced approach to technology use in schools,
Doing the exam in the same way that they work in class should … benefit the average student,