Written Answers. - Literacy Levels.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:
71
Mr. Gilmore
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
his views on the literacy and numeracy standards among current school-goers; if he has given any consideration to the introduction of periodic assessment during primary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2771/01]
A national assessment of English reading – NAER – with fifth class pupils was carried out in 1998. The findings of the study are that standards of English reading in 1998 were the same as in 1993 and that standards have not changed since 1980. There has been no change in the performance of low achieving pupils. Teachers rated the reading proficiency of about one in ten pupils as "weak-inadequate" and an equal number as reading at third class level or lower. More than one in five pupils was regarded as being "advanced" in reading, while a third was judged to be reading at a class level higher than fifth class.
In May 1999, a survey of the mathematics attainments of pupils in fourth class was conducted by the Educational Research Centre, Drum condra, and the inspectorate of my Department. Results of the survey are not yet available. Ireland is also a participant in the programme for international student assessment of the OECD – the PISA project. This project examined the attainment of 15 year olds, principally in reading, in 2000. The results of this survey are not yet available. Mathematics attainments will be the main focus in 2003 and science in 2006.
Evidence from earlier international studies, conducted during the last decade, in which Irish students participated, namely, the IEA 1990/1991 literacy studies, the IAEP 1991 mathematics studies, and the 1995 third international mathematics and science study, shows that Irish students performed above international averages generally.
While it is gratifying to see that Irish pupils generally perform at a level above the international average in both literacy and mathematics, it still does not allow us to be complacent about standards. Special attention must be given to the significant number of pupils, estimated at 10%, who perform at a low level in both areas. In addition, in a competitive international environment, overall standards need to improve. The failure to register an increase in mean level of reading achievement in recent years among fifth class pupils is a cause for concern. It points to problems that need to be addressed in policy and in the condition of learning in schools and homes.
It is felt that the existing practice, where schools annually test their pupils using standardised tests, best meets the needs of pupils and their parents. It is my intention to continue and extend the programme of literacy and mathematics surveys at various levels in the primary school.
