CESE Insights 1: Why NSW reading outcomes tell different stories – and why that matters

Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation:

CESE Insights Issue 1 explores reading scores for NSW students across NAPLAN, Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) and the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). The assessments measure different aspects of reading, which helps explain mixed trends in results. Trend data show clear improvement in Years 3 and 5, likely reflecting strong, structured teaching of foundational skills. However, progress slows in upper primary and secondary school, where results suggest many students may struggle with more complex, real-world reading tasks.