JOY Burch says the latest NAPLAN results show ACT students continue to be the best-performing in Australia.

The NAPLAN testing program was first introduced in 2008 with 18,000 students in years 3,5,7 and 9 across the ACT participating in May this year.

“NAPLAN test results are important in understanding how ACT students are performing in literacy and numeracy, and how we can provide support where it is needed the most,” Joy said.

“These results show that the ACT continues to excel, placing as top or equal top across 16 of the 20 areas tested.

“I am particularly pleased that the ACT continues to excel in reading. ACT students have been the highest performing in Australia every year since 2008.

“The ACT has also ranked first or equal first in grammar and punctuation and numeracy across all year levels since 2009.

“These outstanding results are due to the continued investment in education the ACT government has made over the years, and in no small part by the fantastic efforts of our teacher and school staff who everyday are delivering the highest quality education to the 70,000 student in the ACT.

“These results are also a tribute to our parents and carers, who play a vital role in their child’s education every day.”

Schools will begin distributing student reports to families from Monday 1 September and will have access to their online student results from Monday 8 September.