 NAPLAN, the National Literacy and Numeracy Test taken by students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 around the country, will move from paper-based tests to computer-based tests from 2017, with all assessments expected to be done by computer by 2019. It's a big undertaking and you may be wondering why it's happening. NAPLAN is a valuable tool that tests literacy and numeracy skills as taught in classrooms. Important skills which are needed well into adulthood. It's the only national test that lets you see how your child is growing and achieving in these key areas over a seven-year schooling period. Technology is present everywhere and more children have access to it at school or home. So it makes sense that we use it to our advantage when it comes to educating and preparing our children for the future. We'll use the technology to improve the NAPLAN tests through what is called the tailored test design. This means students won't all be sitting the same test. As they progress through the test, they'll be given questions better suited to their individual abilities. A child who may be struggling during the assessment will be given questions that better reflect their achievement, building their confidence by allowing them to show us what they know, not just what they don't know. Similarly, students who are high achieving will be given more challenging questions so they can show us what they can really do. Because of this tailored test design, the results will be more precise and give a lot more insight into your child's achievement. Results will be back much faster in around two to three weeks instead of months, so you can see how your child is performing in the important areas of literacy and numeracy. If your child needs any help, this will be identified too. The online test will take advantage of technology in ways that are not possible with paper. We will be able to test not only what students know, but whether they can apply this knowledge to solve real world problems. Our research shows that students find these types of questions more engaging and are motivated by the experience of doing their tests on computers. For more information visit www.nap.edu.au or email naplanonline at acara.edu.au