Happiness test for students

STUDENTS rarely like tests but 4000 South Australian students are about to have their happiness measured and assessed.

In the Australian-first, Year 6 students from 150 schools across the state will join 1500 students from Western Australia who will use the test to speak directly to policy makers about aspects of their lives that are not usually audited.

The Middle Years Development Instrument will provide a baseline of where children are at that can be improved upon.

The pilot is being finalised and is planned to begin at the end of March or early April.

It is tied into the state's plan to flourish, building resilience and wellbeing under the guidance of current Thinkers in Residence Dr Martin Seligman.

Education Department policy and communications head Ben Temperly said the results would be useful for the department but also for schools, communities and other levels of government.