Test cheat teachers face fines, dismissal

A teacher at a WA school allowed students to change their answers on last year's national literacy and numeracy tests after they had finished the assessments, a report into allegations of test breaches has revealed.

And in 2010, a WA teacher was found to have changed students' answers after collecting the papers.

Both teachers face disciplinary action, which could include a reprimand, fine or dismissal. Their students' results will be left blank on the Federal Government's My School comparison website.

Documents released yesterday by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority show those incidents were among 137 reports of improper conduct relating to the NAPLAN tests across Australia in the past two years. Of these, 88 were substantiated - 34 in 2010 and 54 last year.

WA Primary Principals Association president Stephen Breen said teachers were under "massive" pressure to obtain good test results.

"Everything now revolves around the NAPLAN tests," he said. "It's like Year 12 for Year 3s.

"With high stakes testing, there would be some people who would be so much under pressure that there would be a temptation to actually look at improving the students' results."

ACARA, which runs the tests which one million students sit each May at 9500 schools, pledged in 2010 to publish an annual statement on schools caught cheating.

But it has taken until now for education ministers to agree on the form the report should take.

ACARA chairman Barry McGaw said it had proposed naming and shaming errant schools but decided against it.

The report listed seven WA incidents from last year and four in 2010. NSW had the most incidents proved last year, with 14, and Queensland had the most in 2010, with 12.

WA Education Department director-general Sharyn O'Neill said the integrity of the tests could not be compromised.

"Teachers have no excuse for not knowing the rules in relation to the testing and I expect full compliance," she said. "Should the investigations prove misconduct, disciplinary action will follow."