Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if children with special needs and those whose first language is not English are exempt from standardised numeracy and literacy tests, the way educators are supposed to fulfil the criteria to get the children assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38715/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The circulars issued to schools on standardised testing provide that students may be excluded from standardised testing if in the view of the school principal they have a learning or physical disability which would prevent them from attempting the tests or, in the case of migrant students, where the level of English required in the test would make attempting the test inappropriate. The exclusion provision is so that students are not exposed to negative experiences which would reinforce failure and low self esteem for those who are clearly unable to take the test. It should be noted that while very low performance in a standardised English reading or mathematics test may signal a need for further exploration, the tests are not designed to diagnose disability. Where pupils are excluded from standardised testing, it is a matter for the school to arrange an appropriate alternative form of assessment, to provide supporting feedback to the pupils and to report to their parents on their achievement and progress. The exemption from national standardised testing does not and should not preclude the application by teachers of a range of tests, processes and practices used to assist in identifying whether special education needs exist in respect of a given pupil, in consultation with the learning support teacher and the school's assigned psychologist.