Minister Hanafin to re-think tests

Niall Murray, Education Correspondent

The concerns are expressed in a document presented to the minister by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). It also raises questions about the feasibility of standardised testing without professional development for teachers, and the need for the Department of Education to meet the costs incurred by schools to buy and process test systems.

But the clearest concern expressed is that the recently updated primary curriculum is already creating challenges in schools, most notably in relation to time for planning, engaging with pupils and covering the wide variety of material.

“While supporting moving forward on assessment and advocating a more systematic approach, the council is concerned that adding further to the demands on time will create an unreasonable burden on teachers,” wrote NCCA chief executive Dr Anne Looney.

The council has proposed a number of pilot projects to give greater insight into how such assessment could be best managed and resourced.

The NCCA is an independent statutory body whose role is to advise the minister on issues relating to curricular development and assessment methods.

Their advice was sought by Ms Hanafin’s predecessor, Noel Dempsey, last July after his unexpected announcement of plans for standardised literacy and numeracy tests for all pupils at least twice at primary school and at one other time, possibly at second level.

However, the NCCA has recommended that the minister should not proceed with such testing in post-primary schools until further research is done.

At primary level, the council suggests all pupils should first be tested at the end of first or beginning of second class, to monitor student progress, spot potential difficulties and provide information for teacher and school planning.

“For these reasons, the end of fourth or the beginning of fifth class is suggested as the second point to allow for action to be taken in the event that a difficulty is identified,” the NCCA report said.

Mr Dempsey’s intention, broadly supported by Ms Hanafin, was to provide information for schools and the department on pupil’s progress, particularly where difficulties were found among some children.

However, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation argues that members already use a number of recognised tests and their members are best placed to identify learning difficulties. Ms Hanafin is likely to consult teacher unions, school management bodies and other education partners before making any decisions on implementing standardised tests in primary schools. But she believes they offer potential to improve teaching and learning, and to give information that could help parents support their children’s progress.