asked the Minister for Education if she will introduce some form of uniform and objective testing of the attainment levels in reading, writing and basic mathematics of primary school pupils in order to provide the data necessary to (a) allocate resources to remedial education; (b) ensure that no pupils pass from primary to second level without having had appropriate educational preparation; and (c) test the relative performances of the school and teachers as an aid to the work of her primary schools inspectorate.
Written Answers. - Primary Schools Assessment Process.
25.
I would not favour the introduction of a national objective externally monitored assessment process for children of primary school age. The experience of the primary certificate in the past was that it had the effect of limiting the focus of the curriculum.
However, I would not like the Deputy to have the impression that no assessment of attainment levels is carried out at primary level. Assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning. It is part of the work of all teachers in primary schools who use a variety of procedures both formal and informal for assessing pupils. National surveys on randomly selected pupils in certain classes in primary schools have been conducted by the curriculum unit of my Department at regular intervals over the past number of years which give general information on the levels of achievement in languages and mathematics. These tests yield results which provide useful data for the allocation of special resources on a national level. In addition, a school report containing an assessment of the organisation and work of each school as a whole is furnished to the Department by my inspectorate at regular intervals of approximately four years. The reports refer to the environmental factors which influence the effectiveness of a teacher's work; the organisation, atmosphere and general programme of work in operation in the school; and the general development of pupils and their progress in the various areas of the curriculum.