Standardised Tests
From 2007 all Irish primary schools have been required to administer standardised tests in English and Mathematics to pupils twice during their primary school years
We are all familiar with the idea of tests from our own days in school. A standardised test is used to measure a child’s achievement in English reading and maths compared to other children throughout the country at the same class level or age level. The test your child does in first/second class will relate to your child’s age and the curriculum for that class level.
Some of the test names may be familiar to you- the Drumcondra Tests (so called as they were developed in the Educational Research Centre in Drumcondra), and the MICRA-T and SIGMA-T which were developed in Mary Immaculate College of Education in Limerick.
Similarly, the Middle Infant Screening Test (MIST) is a screening test which gives an overall picture of a child’s performance and his learning strategies in functions which are significantly related to early reading and writing.
We, in St. John the Baptist Junior Boys’ School believe that there is so much more to your son’s education than test scores. While they do measure achievement, they do so only within a very narrow range. There is much which we do in Belgrove which cannot be measured but which we believe contributes to your son’s growth and development. Participation in the Christmas concerts, and exposure to and experiencing such enriching activities as Science Week, visiting theatre groups and the many other extra-curricular we provide all help to providing a broad and enjoyable school experience for your sons as well as contributing to the social and emotional development of each boy. Such activities are a distinguishing feature of our school’s traditions and ethos, and of the vision of its teachers.
In terms of monitoring progress, standardised scores are but one tool and need to be read side by side many other valuable sources of information about your child’s progress, not the least of which is an experienced teacher’s observation and impressions. Systematic observation of their pupils is invaluable and standardised tests merely offer some evidence in support of teachers’ judgements.
Schedule.
Class Test Phase
Senior infants MIST Spring Term
First class MICRA-T September
First class SIGMA-T Spring Term
Second class Drumcondra Primary Maths September
Second class Drumcondra Primary English September