PAT Testing

During Term 3, students from Years 2 to 5 participated in Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) in Mathematics and Reading Comprehension, designed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).

PAT tests are designed to assess each students’ current capability against the appropriate standard for their age. Unlike NAPLAN, the PAT assessments are run each year in Term 1 and Term 3 and have instant results given to teachers. There is no student/parent report.

As student data is available to our school as soon as the student completes the test, it is a valuable and researched based source of information on each students development. We can immediately use PAT data towards better understanding each student in Maths and Reading. We also use the results to track each students development from year to year, noting what potential misconceptions reoccur. This information is then used to better tailor our teaching programs, communicating with students on their goal setting and in the celebration of growth.

The PAT testing process is explained to all students by teachers and should be not seen as a stressful pass or fail assessment. We do not teach to the test or promote unnecessary attention to the testing process. Instead, students will be encouraged to view the tests as a way for teachers to learn more about their capabilities and for the results to encourage better learning programs that will help them improve.

We also use the data as part of our selection criteria for creating extension groups.

Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Learning K-5