Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 334: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when he, through the Educational Research Centre, will begin the cyclical monitoring of English reading and mathematics; if he has received information to date on the results of the compulsory testing of English reading and mathematics which began in the calendar year 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34455/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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On foot of Circular 0138/2006, primary schools are implementing standardised testing in English Reading and Mathematics at two stages, at the end of first class/beginning of second class, and at the end of fourth class/beginning of fifth class since 2007. The results of these tests are held at school level and are available for inspection. Standardised testing is used as one of a range of modes of assessment that help teachers to make more informed decisions in relation to teaching and learning. The results of standardised tests can be used to inform parents of pupils' progress and to assist in the identification of pupils that may require support.

It was not intended that the results of standardised testing would be reported to the Department or used in any way which would facilitate school comparisons or the compilation of league tables. Instead, the implementation of standardised testing at school level is being complemented by a separate programme of national monitoring undertaken by the Educational Research Centre (ERC). The Educational Research Centre is conducting an evaluation of the School Support Programme under DEIS at primary and post-primary levels. Monitoring change in achievement and other pupil outcomes over the period 2006/07 to 2009/10 is one of a number of elements of the evaluation at primary level. The first phase of this element has been completed with the collection, in Spring of 2007, of baseline achievement data from about 17,000 pupils in a sample of almost 500 participating schools. Pupils took tests in English and mathematics and completed a questionnaire about their attitudes to school and about their leisure pursuits. In schools in the urban dimension of the SSP, pupils in second, third, and sixth class were involved. In schools in the rural dimension of the SSP, pupils in third and sixth class were involved. Testing will be repeated in the same schools and with many of the same pupils in the Spring of 2010.

The ERC is also currently engaged in development and pilot testing preparatory to national implementation of a programme of national monitoring in English Reading and Mathematics which will be undertaken in 2009, targeted at pupils in second and sixth class. These programme will establish trends over time for particular categories of school, such as schools in DEIS, English medium schools and Irish medium schools. No individual school results will be identifiable in this process.