The My School website has now been updated with the most recent data available on Australian schools, and presents NAPLAN data in ways designed to be clearer and more relevant for parents.

The site has been streamlined and there is a stronger focus on student progress so that is 'fair and easier to understand'. The old comparisons with statistically similar schools, which were often spread far apart across the country, have been replaced.

“These changes are being made to help parents and school authorities focus more on how a school is performing in terms of student progress i.e. improving literacy and numeracy outcomes over the two years since the previous NAPLAN tests, and less on ‘school versus school’ comparisons that only take account of overall levels of achievement,” said ACARA CEO, David de Carvalho.

The changes have been broadly welcomed by parent groups, including the APC, and educators, although heads of schools rightly point out that MySchool information can't replace a personal visit to a school if you are deciding where to send your child for their education.

“The new My School website is a big improvement. It now provides more of the kind of information parents want to know, with a new layout, graphics and language that are much more parent friendly. The focus on how much students have improved, especially the new comparisons to similar students, also gives parents a simple way to see how well their child's school is going.”
Jenni Rickard, President, Australian Parents Council

“ACSSO applauds ACARA for listening to the feedback from parents to continue enhancements to the My School website. Parents have been asking for a simpler site with focus on student progress instead of direct rankings, and this change promises to deliver.”
Andrew Bidwell, President, Australian Council of State School Organisations Ltd

“Catholic Secondary Principals Australia (CaSPA) has welcomed the review, consultations and changes to NAPLAN and My School. CaSPA supports the renewed focus on student progress and improving educational outcomes for all students.”
Phil Lewis, Executive Officer, Catholic Secondary Principals Australia

“The My School website is a good place for parents to start when gathering information about where they will educate their children. But it is no substitute for a personal visit to a school, where parents have the opportunity to talk with the principal, teachers and students to help determine whether the school is the best choice to meet the unique needs and interests of their child.”
Beth Blackwood, CEO, Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia

“With the changes to the My School website the focus is now on tracking students’ learning growth and progress against students with both a similar socio-educational background across Australia and from the same starting score, which makes for a more accurate measure of how well students are progressing at any given school.”
Jacinta Collins, Executive Director, National Catholic Education.