One third of Australian children this year didn’t meet “challenging but reasonable” expectations in literacy and numeracy according to the latest NAPLAN results. This concerning trend has persisted over recent years — and even more alarming, 10% of students are so far behind that they’ve been flagged as needing significant additional support just to catch up with their peers.

So, what does this mean for Australian students and their families?

Mr. Glenn Fahey from the Centre for Independent Studies stated:

“This is a code red for your students’ achievement in school. Children who start behind and underachieve in NAPLAN have little to no chance of achieving at year level expectations by the time they finish school.”

This may sound daunting — but there’s a silver lining. NAPLAN results aren’t just a score; they’re a roadmap. When read correctly, they highlight the specific areas where your child is struggling and allow you to take meaningful action now — before it becomes a long-term academic gap.

What You Can Do to Help Your Child Improve

1. Identify the Problem Areas

Carefully review your child’s NAPLAN report. The results break down performance across various domains — reading, writing, spelling, grammar, numeracy — and show how your child compares to national standards. Look for patterns. Are they consistently behind in reading comprehension? Are numeracy results low across multiple areas? Pinpointing the exact problem is the first step toward fixing it.

2. Talk to Their Teacher

Your child’s teacher can offer valuable insight into their performance and behaviour in class. Share your concerns and ask for advice on how to support learning at home. Teachers can also recommend classroom-based interventions or tutoring options.

3. Implement Structured Home Revision

Even 15–20 minutes of focused study per day can make a difference over time. At Global Education Academy, we recommend short, consistent revision sessions targeted at weak areas. This could be:

• Practising reading with comprehension questions
• Reviewing spelling rules and doing weekly quizzes
• Working through numeracy problems and reinforcing core concepts

4. Create a Positive Learning Environment

Children learn best in a calm, supportive environment. Avoid turning study time into a punishment or high-pressure situation. Celebrate small wins, stay patient, and make learning enjoyable wherever possible — use games, apps, or educational videos that reinforce the curriculum.

5. Seek Expert Help When Needed

If your child is falling significantly behind, structured intervention is essential. At Global Education Academy, our evidence-based teaching methods are designed to bridge the learning gap by targeting the why behind learning difficulties, not just the what. Our tailored programs in literacy and numeracy are aligned with the Australian Curriculum and led by qualified educators who understand how to teach for understanding, not memorisation.

The Key Takeaway

NAPLAN isn’t just about national benchmarks — it’s a tool for understanding your child’s unique learning profile. If your child didn’t meet expectations, don’t panic — take action. With the right support, guidance, and mindset, improvement is absolutely possible.

Let’s use this data as a catalyst for change — not just in schools, but at home, too.

Want help decoding your child’s NAPLAN results or improving their performance?
Book a free consultation with one of our education specialists at Global Education Academy today.

Call us or Visit www.globaleducationacademy.com.au to learn more.