Australia’s Year 3 numeracy scores have ‘dipped’ – should we be concerned?

Jan van der Wolf/ Pexels The national NAPLAN results are in for 2026. Years 5, 7 and 9 saw their numeracy scores increase, however a reported “dip” in Year 3 results has raised alarm bells. The organisation that runs the NAPLAN test, described the results as “clearly concerning”. And Education Minister Jason Clare noted while the older years’ results were “good news”, Year 3 numeracy was a “different story”. What is going on with Year 3 numeracy? Do we really need to be concerned? NAPLAN…