Why a Third of Students Are Falling Behind | 2025 NAPLAN Results Revealed

By Pascal Press I July 28, 2025

A recent report from The Sydney Morning Herald reveals a concerning trend: more than a third of Australian students are not meeting expected benchmarks in key NAPLAN* areas like reading, writing and numeracy. The findings show that too many children are slipping behind, especially in upper primary, and that the gap is growing year on year.

However, there’s a silver lining: schools that take a proactive, skills-based approach to preparation are seeing real results. The article highlights the success of Merrylands East Public School in Western Sydney, where strong leadership, focused literacy and numeracy programs, and a commitment to student growth have helped buck the trend.

So how can parents and educators support students who may be falling behind, or simply want to build strong foundations ahead of NAPLAN testing?

Support at Home with Targeted Practice

Preparation doesn't mean “teaching to the test". It means giving students the tools to build confidence in essential skills.

At Pascal Press, we’ve developed our Excel NAPLAN*-style Workbooks to support this exact goal. Written by experienced educators and mapped to the Australian Curriculum, each workbook targets key literacy and numeracy skills students need in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. With hundreds of practice questions and fully worked solutions, these books are designed to build familiarity, reduce test anxiety and identify areas for improvement.

Why Choose Excel NAPLAN*-style Workbooks?

✅ Curriculum-aligned: Content reflects the format and style of actual NAPLAN questions.
✅ Skill-based: Emphasis on core capabilities, not just test-taking strategies.
✅ Boost confidence: Structured revision helps students feel ready and capable.
✅ Track progress: Answers and explanations allow for self-assessment and reflection.

Whether your child is looking to catch up or stay ahead, consistent practice and exposure to real-style questions can make all the difference.

Set Your Child Up for Success

With more students than ever at risk of falling behind, preparation is key. Not just for the NAPLAN, but for lifelong learning.

Click here to explore our full range of Excel NAPLAN*-style Workbooks today and give your child the tools to thrive.

*This is not an officially endorsed publication of the NAPLAN program and is produced by Pascal Press independently of Australian governments.

References

1. Sydney Morning Herald, 2025. A third of students are falling behind in NAPLAN. Here’s a school that is bucking the trend. (online) 29 July. Available at: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/a-third-of-students-are-falling-behind-in-naplan-here-s-a-school-that-is-bucking-the-trend-20250729-p5mil7.html.