Much effort has been put into developing resources, frameworks, policies and programs to support and engage students. This work is important and has helped many students, but by listening to the voices of children and young people, it is clear there is more to be done to create a truly responsive and equitable education system.

NAPLAN data provide parents, schools, governments and the non-government school sectors with important information about whether young Australians are reaching important educational goals.

Looking at over a decade of education expenditure, it is clear that governments are not approaching education investment in a coherent and thoughtful way. We see ad hoc, piecemeal spending across the system.

The NZCER national survey of primary and intermediate schools 2016 included a number of questions that asked specifically about matters related to Pasifika students, Pasifika families, or Pasifika cultural activities at school. We have brought the responses to these questions together for researchers working in Pasifika education.

This report analyses and interprets the Australian data collected as part of PIRLS 2016. Where appropriate, this report makes comparisons with the results of other countries and with the international average, to better understand Australian achievement in reading literacy and its context.