A test which shows how well schools performed compared with others across the country, there are concerns the data is invalid. 

A disagreement between state and territories and how they should be publicly reported and whether the new online tests can be compared to the standard pen-to-paper has lead to a halt in releasing the results. 

ACARA, is the national assessment authority which were due to publish a summary of the preliminary NAPLAN results of one million students yesterday. 

However, ACARA CEO, Robert Randall said contrary to media reports, this year’s results are “not delayed”, as in previous years, results were released in mid-August. 

“Parents, schools and educators should be assured that the 2018 NAPLAN results are on track to be released soon,” Mr Randall said.

“ACARA is prepared to release the results and expects this will be within coming days. 

“As in previous years, the normal process of working with education authorities in states and territories to review the data prior to release has been followed.” 

This year about 200,000 children sat the new online test and Mr Randall advised that no concern is necessary in regards to whether the results are accurate. 

“As this is the first year of online assessment, extra attention has been given to reviewing the data and ensuring it is comparable with previous years and between online and paper test modes,” he said.

“ACARA’s data analysts and measurement advisory experts have advised the data are valid and comparable.”

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