John Bruton
Question:219 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education the extent, if any, to which teachers are required to keep written records of the progress of individual pupils.
Written Answers. - Progress of Pupils.
Under the terms of circular 7/68, the principal teachers of national schools are obliged to ensure that a school record card is completed in respect of each pupil in fifth and sixth standard, and that these cards are forwarded to the principal teachers of the schools to which these pupils transfer.
Under the parents' report scheme introduced in 1969 school reports on children are provided to parents at the end of the school year in respect of children in second and higher standards. These reports provide an assessment of a pupil's general progress throughout the year and the standard of attainment reached by them in the various subjects of the school curriculum.
As part of their normal duties, post-primary teachers would be expected to chart the progress of their pupils. Where course work features as an element of assessment, the teachers concerned are required to keep comprehensive records.