Assessment Policy
Generally assessment will take two forms:
- Informal Assessment
- Formal Assessment
Informal Assessment: some or all of the following as appropriate
- By teacher in classroom/school setting
- Observation of child working/playing/social interaction
- Teacher designed tests and tasks
- Class and homework samples
- Portfolios and projects
- Collaboration/communication between teacher and teacher/teacher and parent
Formal Assessment – Standardised Tests
- To compliment informal assessment
- To be administered in Senior Infants, First Class, Third Class and Fifth Class
Tests: Senior Infants: Middle Infant Screening Test (MIST)
First Class
Third Class Drumcondra Primary Reading and Mathematics Tests
Fifth Class
Administration: Tests will be administered by the classroom teacher in the pupils’ own classroom in accordance with test guidelines.
MIST: It is recommended that children be 5 years and eight months or more before testing. Therefore this test will be administered no earlier than February.
Drumcondra Primary Maths and Reading Tests: Administered in accordance with test guidelines.
v In First Class the tests will be administered in the final term.
v In Third Class
v In Fifth Class
Results of Standardised Tests
* The class teacher corrects and collates tests. Test results will be interpreted in consultation with other teachers/principal. Staff meeting time will be dedicated for this purpose.
* Two copies of the results will be made, one for teacher and one for office. Both copies will be retained in secure locations indefinitely.
* Booklets will be retained by the class teacher in individual pupil folders and passed on to the next teacher.
Access: Principal, All teaching staff and other professional personnel deemed appropriate by teachers and principal. Individual parents/guardians will have access only to their own child/children’s results on request.
Communication of Results to Children: No individual scores will be communicated to children. Appropriate, general verbal feedback will be given.
Communication of Results to Parents/Guardians: Standardized tests results will form part of the oral report on each child as prepared by the class teacher for Parent/Teacher meetings. Where Parents/Guardians request exact scores for their child/children’s test results, the class teacher will provide this information and interpret it.
Follow up: Following a careful analysis of Informal and Formal pupil assessment data and in consultation with Parents/Guardians, a list of those children deemed in need of supplementary educational support will be drawn up and the process of setting up such support will be immediately initiated.
Psychological Assessment
A psychological assessment, in full consultation with teachers and parents, may be advised at any stage including pre-enrolment and Junior and Senior Infants. This in turn will form the basis for supplementary educational support.