What happens when students are below the benchmark?
The WALNA results provide additional information that should help schools target problem areas and develop strategies for improvement. In most instances the test results will be a confirmation of what schools already know. Schools will already have been involved in whole-school planning to address these problems. Further, whole-school review of strategies for improvement may be required. The results of the Year 3, Year 5 and Year 7 assessments represent the culmination of nearly, 3, 5 and 7 years of schooling respectively, and responsibility for good or bad results cannot reside with the current classroom teacher alone. It is worth remembering that the WALNA results provide an indication of the educational needs of all students, including those ranking high above the benchmark.
