Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has finalised her proposal to introduce standardised testing of all seven and 11 year olds; the timescale for their introduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27665/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The introduction of standardised testing on a systematic basis has great potential to improve the quality of teaching and learning in schools. I welcome the advice of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, that all pupils should take standardised tests in literacy and numeracy at the end of first class or the beginning of second class, and at the end of fourth class or the beginning of fifth class.

Important groundwork remains to be done before an implementation date can be set. I have asked the NCCA to continue its development work in the production of guidelines and exemplars for teachers for assessment, national reporting procedures, and a national policy on the transfer of information to post-primary schools.

The Department of Education and Science is exploring potential implementation models, in advance of entering into discussions with the education partners in the matter. My intention is that we will proceed carefully to ensure the recommendations proposed by the NCCA are implemented in a way has positive benefits for children, parents, teachers and the system as a whole. This is one of a range of developments which need to take place to enhance the role of assessment in the overall process of teaching and learning.