Assessment

Assessment is the process of generating, gathering, recording, interpreting, using and reporting evidence of learning in individuals, groups or systems, which relies upon a number of instruments and methods. Educational assessment provides information about progress in learning. Building on the experiences of teachers, principals, parents and children of the Primary School Curriculum, the NCCA provides a range of supports to schools in using assessment as part of daily classroom practice.

Assessment Guidelines
Standardised Tests

Assessment in primary school is about building a picture over time of a child’s learning progress across the curriculum. The teacher uses different ways to gather evidence about how and what the child learns on an ongoing basis. This information is used to celebrate the child’s current learning, and to help make decisions about next steps for future learning.

A Technical Working Group for Primary Assessment has been established to review and update assessment guidance and supports. The members are as follows:

Eugene Wall, Mary Immaculate College
Zita Lysaght, Dublin City University
Paula Lehane, Dublin City University
Damian Murchan, Trinity College Dublin
Alan Sheehan, Douglas Rochestown ETNS
Pádraig Fahey, Department of Education

Click here for useful information on the use of standardised tests in our primary schools.

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