Tabloid tone of NAPLAN coverage fails the test, researcher says

Sarah Duggan

By Sarah Duggan
Published May 5, 2021

Marred by sensationalised headlines and reporting that champions opinion over fact, many news stories that cover NAPLAN performance have descended into tabloid journalism – and schools in low SES areas are in the firing line, new research has indicated.

Postdoctoral research fellow Aspa Baroutsis says that while some media outlets support quality investigative journalism and do a “great job” of reporting on NAPLAN results without peppering their news coverage with slices of opinion, others fall well short.

Postdoctoral research fellow Aspa Baroutsis, from Griffith University, analysed news stories published over a 10-year period from various outlets, zeroing ...

This story appeared in the May 2021 edition of Australian Teacher Magazine.

EOI - Deputy Principal (Secondary) - Bundaberg North State High School

Department of Education and Training (Queensland)

Bundaberg North State High School is seeking a Deputy Principal to join our leadership team. The successful applicant will demonstrate strong interpersonal skills a...

Teaching - Secondary / Jun 22, 2026

Student Support Officer - Metropolitan South Region

Department of Education and Training (Queensland) Brisbane

We are seeking a professional and highly motivated Student Support Officer to join the Metropolitan South Region EAL/D team.This position involves travel throughout Me...

Teaching - Secondary / Jun 22, 2026

Deputy Principal - Logan City Special School

Department of Education and Training (Queensland) Logan

Logan City Special School is seeking a temporary full-time Deputy Principal until 11 December 2026, unless otherwise determined. Located in Logan City, south of Brisba...

Teaching - Secondary / Jun 22, 2026

School news / ‘Absolute disgrace’: fatal park attack near school shocks parents

A school community has been left to pick up the pieces after a man died following a violent attack in broad daylight metres from its gates.

School news / New ‘Futures Academy’ to help get at-risk back on track and re-engaged in education

The Queensland Government has announced a new Crime Prevention School to provide specialised education, mentoring, and family support for at-risk youth in Grades 7-12 who are disengaged from mainstream schooling.

School news / New PD offerings helping teachers grow the next gen of ag professionals

Teachers are being given new tools to help students explore the wide range of careers available across Queensland’s agriculture industry.

School news / AEU members vote to reject Vic Govt’s public school pay and conditions offer

Victorian teachers have rejected their union’s advice and voted down a pay rise offer of up to 32 per cent.

School news / ‘False sense of mastery’: AI may erode the mental structures for learning, experts warn

Quality teaching and the way we learn isn't changing because of AI, but the context means we have to make it the centrepiece of what schools do and give teachers the support and the agency to do so, Professor Leslie Loble says.

School news / ‘Defeats the purpose’: maths expert takes aim at CAS calculators allowed in exams

Subject study designs that heavily involve senior students using advanced calculators capable of solving problems that veer well into university-level mathematics, risk diluting teacher instruction and derailing learning – and are causing clear eq...

School news / Catholic educators take next step in ongoing fight for fair bargaining rights

The IEU has begun its application for a Single Interest Authorisation (SIA) before the Fair Work Commission, marking a major step in its campaign for fair bargaining rights for Victorian Catholic education staff.

School news / ‘They can’t resist them’: teacher reveals extent of digital device distraction

The classroom often descends into a ‘battle scene’ when students have devices with them, as one teacher reports it is a constant struggle to ensure screens remain closed or actually used for learning.

School news / ‘Tough on truancy’ policies under scrutiny as attendance rates continue to drop

Extreme flooding is being blamed for Northern Territory’s reduced school attendance rates as its education minister defends her Government’s tough anti-truancy policy, which includes fines for parents.

School news / Teen terror accused had ‘autistic interest’ in bombs, court hears

A teenager accused of preparing a terrorist attack on then-opposition leader Peter Dutton was not guilty due to his autism-related fixations on dark humour and explosives, a jury has heard.

Comments