Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 66: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans to undertake a benchmarking review of international best practice in education as outlined in the Global Irish Forum report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45791/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Schools are already subject to evaluation by way of the national scheme of Whole School Evaluation. Procedures for dealing with underperforming teachers in schools were implemented with effect from the beginning of the 2009/2010 school year.

With regard to a benchmarking review, Ireland participates in the OECD PISA studies which benchmark the performance of 15 year olds internationally in literacy, maths and science. Ireland will also participate in the next Progress in International Reading Literacy Study and Trends in International Maths and Science assessments of 10 year olds in 2011. Such an approach at senior cycle is not feasible due to the lack of availability of international standardized test instruments, as systems differ widely at this level. Ireland's Leaving Certificate was benchmarked against the UK A levels in 2003 by an Expert Group leading to agreement to treat a Leaving Certificate subject as equal to two thirds of an A level for entry to higher education in the UK. Both the NCCA and the State Examinations Commission are members of international education networks and keep abreast of international developments.