Qld: NAPLAN tests to go ahead

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2010
Qld: NAPLAN tests to go ahead

BRISBANE, April 29 AAP - Acting Queensland premier Paul Lucas says next month's national
and literacy tests will go ahead in the state, despite a public school teachers' planned
boycott.

The government sought orders on Thursday from the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission
(QIRC) to make it illegal for teachers to boycott the mid-May National Assessment Program
Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests of grade's three, five, seven and nine.

The Queensland Teachers' Union (QTU) said the majority of its 40,000 members voted
not to supervise the tests, over concerns results will be used to create unfair league
tables on the federal government's new My School website.

Mr Lucas said he's sympathetic to teacher concerns, but they shouldn't be using kids
as pawns in their fight.

"Now sure, the system may not be perfect and I am sympathetic with some of the things
that the teachers' union have said in terms of measuring progress at a school as distinct
from point in time," Mr Lucas told reporters in Brisbane.

"I can understand that they have an issue with how these things are depicted.

"Can I just say to the teachers, don't let a dispute between you and the federal government
degenerate into a penalty for school kids and their parents."

Mr Lucas said because teachers ignored last week's directive from the QIRC to lift
the ban, the government has now sought on Thursday a tougher, second order to make the
boycott illegal.

"Yes, we will take action in relation to the Industrial Relations Commission and we
will make sure that these tests are administered because (parents) have every right to
see them.

"As a parent, and I know other parents, we want to see information about how their
kids are performing in school.

"For God's sake, do not penalise school kids and their parents who want information about it."

The government said if state school students do not sit the tests, the lack of data
could put at risk $20 million in federal funding.

It's working to recruit 6000 casual, part-time and relief teachers to supervise the
tests, if the QTU goes through with the boycott.

The case will be heard in the QIRC in Brisbane from Friday 1pm (AEST).

The NAPLAN tests are due to be held on May 11, 12, and 13.

AAP ka/it

KEYWORD: SCHOOLS QLD

� 2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.