The latest figures from a report by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) on the National Assessment Program in Civics and Citizenship (NAP-CC), released by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) reveal that half of the Year 6 and Year 10 students who participated in the sample assessment meet or exceed the ‘challenging but reasonable’ proficient standard.

While the percentage of Australian school students with the skills and knowledge required to be active and informed citizens has remained stable between 2010 and 2013, the report clearly indicates that half of the sample are yet to reach the proficient standard.

The NAP – CC measures students’ knowledge and understanding of civic systems and civic life in Australia as well as their civic attitudes and values, and participation in civic-related activities. The ACER report for ACARA provides the results from a representative sample of more than 11 000 Year 6 and Year 10 students in the 2013 NAP – CC assessment cycle. This was the fourth cycle of NAP – CC and the first time, the assessment was delivered to students online.