Australia to Bring Back Handwritten Year 5 NAPLAN Writing Tests

Australian education ministers have agreed to return the Year 5 NAPLAN writing test to pen and paper nationwide from 2028, according to reporting following their 2 November meeting. The decision follows a push by the New South Wales Government to restore handwritten assessment amid concerns about writing standards and classroom screen use.

Students at Peakhurst Public School practise writing. Image: © State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2022. CC BY 4.0.

NSW Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car had sought handwritten writing tests for Years 5, 7 and 9. Year 3 students already complete the NAPLAN writing assessment on paper, while older students have been taking it on computers. Ministers are seeking further advice on whether the change should extend to Years 7 and 9.

The national discussion follows NSW's introduction of new guidelines on individual screen use in public-school classrooms. Those guidelines recommend at least one hour of handwriting and other paper-based learning each day, while recognising the continuing educational role of digital technology.

Researchers have welcomed renewed attention to handwriting but say the discussion must also consider keyboarding skills and adjustments for students with additional learning needs. Those considerations become particularly important if handwritten assessment is extended to secondary school students.

Read the NSW Government announcement.

Read ABC News' reporting on expert views.