NAPLAN data is an invaluable educational diagnostic tool that shapes the teaching and learning practices of all teachers in relation to individual students.

According to the website there can be a margin of error of up to 34 points.

When the data is used to compare schools this variance can mean the difference between a school reaching state benchmarks or achieving the same results as a "like" school.

Information about the achievement of individual students within a school is best gained from face to face meetings with classroom teachers and written school reports.

Parents should be very wary of making decisions about the school their child attends based on this website. There is a great deal more to a well rounded education than test results presented on a website.

History in the US and UK has shown that the publication of data like NAPLAN has resulted in the narrowing of the curriculum.

Don't all children deserve the chance to learn about art, music, drama and participate in school excursions that broaden their cultural horizons? Should the success and failure of schools be based on NAPLAN results then this will not be the case.

Julia Gillard talks ad nauseam about the information on this website allowing the government to see which schools need assistance to improve outcomes for students; this information has been at their disposal for a long time and is a poor excuse for this website.

This incomplete and inaccurate statistical comparison of schools across Australia will be of no benefit to those very children and schools who need it most. The damage from this website will be very long-lasting and benefits very few!

Debbie Marten

NSW Teachers' Federation

Riverina Organiser, Wagga