Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 590: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that all primary schools have implemented circular 0138/2006, issued in December 2006, requesting that they ensure standardised testing in English and maths is implemented; if his Department collects this information; his views on the introduction of standardised testing to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4316/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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On foot of Circular 0138/2006, primary schools are implementation 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. They are also available to the Inspectorate as part of the school evaluation process.

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 in English reading and Mathematics undertaken by the Educational Research Centre (ERC). Schools in the DEIS programme have already been sampled by the Educational Research Centre for this purpose, and the sample of non-DEIS English medium schools is planned for 2009, with the sample of Irish medium schools planed for 2010. This programme will establish trends over time for particular categories of school. No individual school results will be identifiable in this process.

The introduction of standardised testing was supported by a national programme of teacher professional development in assessment for learning. Grants of €1.65m, €1.7m and €1.76m have issued to schools in December 2006, December 2007 and December 2008 for the cost of test materials, teachers' manuals, test scoring services or test-related software. Guidelines on assessment developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment were published in October 2007 and issued to all teachers to assist schools in developing and implementing a policy on assessment practice in classrooms and on reporting to parents.