NAPLAN - Biggest joke in education

My three children all went off to school this morning stressed....why?  Because they have NAPLAN testing today.

I learned this week that particularly in the primary school, the children have been coached on NAPLAN, and have been doing practise tests for some time.  In fact, SO much emphasis has been placed on these tests, the poor kids are now worried they might not do well on them.  My kids don't tend to worry about tests too much, so this says to me, they've made a HUGE deal out of it at school.

So, obviously testing is designed to determine what somebody has learned about a particular subject.  It is true though, that if you study a particular style of test, you can do better on it than before.  Take IQ tests for example...if you go through similar IQ tests over and over, you'll get a better result.  But you don't really have a higher IQ.  So bearing this in mind, it could be inferred that the same would be true of NAPLAN.

I would suggest that the system is not working, because rather than being a true indication of the children's knowledge levels, it's simply an indication of how well they have been coached to pass that test.  

This paragraph comes directly from the NAPLAN website's FAQ's:

"NAPLAN is not a test of content. Instead, it tests skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time through the school curriculum. Teachers will ensure that students are familiar with the test formats and will provide appropriate support and guidance. Excessive preparation is not useful and can lead to unnecessary anxiety. If you have any questions about your child's preparation for NAPLAN, you are encouraged to make a time to speak with their teacher.

NAPLAN tests are constructed to give students an opportunity to demonstrate skills they have learned over time through the school curriculum, and NAPLAN test days should be treated as just another routine event on the school calendar. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to reassure them that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program, and to urge them to simply do the best they can on the day."

Well.  It seems the schools are confused about the administration of NAPLAN!  My children certainly feel they have been subjected to 'excessive preparation', so I would be led to believe by the fact that Tahlia has been talking about it all week, and the others have mentioned it too, when normally they don't tell me they have a test to take.  

Next NAPLAN, I think my kids will stay home.  What are your thoughts on it?