Assessment Guidelines for Schools
The launch of the NCCA’s guidelines by the Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, T.D. on 28th November 2007, in St. Clare’s National School, Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6W marked a milestone in primary education in this country.
The Primary School Curriculum (1999) outlines why assessment is important in supporting children’s learning, while the new guidelines describe how teachers can use assessment to make learning more interesting and motivating for children.
What can you expect to find in the guidelines?
- a variety of assessment methods for gathering information about children’s learning, ranging from child-led methods such as self-assessment and conferencing, to teacher-led methods such as teacher-designed tasks and tests, and standardised testing.
- advice to schools on developing, implementing and reviewing their policy on assessment.
- advice on the legislative requirements for schools in communicating information about children’s progress and achievement.
A Portable Document (PDF) copy of the guidelines can be downloaded below.
Introduction and section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Appendices and bibliography
Download complete document (PDF 1.7MB)
An online browsable copy of the guidelines can be accessed by clicking the link below.
Assessment in the Primary School Curriculum - Guidelines for teachers
The guidelines were disseminated to all primary schools in January/February 2008. To request additional copies (in English or in Irish) please contact Ms.Deirdre Quinn at: + 353 1 8892038 or by email: Deirdre_Quinn@education.gov.ie
Advisory Group
The NCCA was supported in developing the assessment guidelines by the following people:
| Prof. Eugene Wall (Chairperson) | Mary Immaculate College,Limerick |
| Ms. Deirdre Lyddy | Inspectorate, Department of Education and Science |
| Mr. Padraig Mac Fhlannachdha | Inspectorate, Department of Education and Science |
| Mr. Seosamh Mac Ionnmhainn | National Educational Psychological Service |
| Dr. Damian Murchan | Trinity College, Dublin |
| Mr. Éamon Murtagh | Inspectorate, Department of Education and Science |
| Dr. Michael O’Leary | St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra |
| Dr. Gerry Shiel | Educational Research Centre, Drumcondra |
Context for developing the guidelines
Feedback from teachers and parents in Phase 1 of the Primary Curriculum Review (2005) showed that schools needed much greater information and advice on the process and outcomes of assessment in primary schools. For example, teachers asked for more detailed advice and support on how to conduct assessments (such as teacher observation) including the information to be gathered, recorded and reported, over what period of time and for what purpose. These findings are discussed in detail in a report on the review: Review of the Primary School Curriculum (2005).
Documentation
Assessment in the Primary School Curriculum: Guidelines for Schools (2007)
Assessment in the Primary School Curriculum: Guidelines for Schools (online browsable version)
Assessment in Primary Schools (2005)
Primary School Curriculum (1999)
Primary Curriculum Review (2005)