A new analysis released by the Federal Government has found that the NAPLAN and Low SES Schools programs have increased the number of students achieving at or above national minimum standards.

The analysis, which forms part of the data set published earlier this week, includes 2012 NAPLAN results and 2011 financial data for every school in the country.

“The results clearly demonstrate that targeted investment, coupled with specific strategies, can lift results for students and schools across the country,” Prime Minister Julia Gillard said in a statement.

Schools taking part in the Literacy and Numeracy National Partnership were more successful in reducing the percentage of students at or below the minimum standards when compared to all schools in Australia across all years and subjects. For example:

  • For Year 3 Reading, 71 per cent of LNNP schools reduced the percentage of students at or below minimum standards, compared to 61 per cent for all schools in Australia.
  • For Year 5 Numeracy, 70 per cent of LNNP schools reduced the percentage of students at or below minimum standards, compared to 59 per cent for all schools in Australia.

More than 50 per cent of the schools taking part in the Low SES School Communities National Partnership improved their mean scores in Year 3 Reading, Year 5 Reading and Year 5 Numeracy.

More information can be found here