On March 10th, Minister Richard Bruton, launched the new Drumcondra Online Testing System (DOTS) and a suite of standardised “Drumcondra” tests for post-primary schools.  The DOTS is a cloud-based, fully integrated, secure system for the delivery of standardised tests to Irish students.

In parallel with the development of the testing platform, three new standardised tests were developed and are now available for use by post-primary teachers.  These are:

·         Drumcondra Reasoning Test – for incoming First Years

·         Drumcondra Maths Test – a curriculum-linked test for the end of Second Year

·         Drumcondra Reading Test – a curriculum-linked test for the end of Second Year

For more information see our site trythetests.erc.ie or email dots@erc.ie

The ERC has been conducting an independent evaluation of the DEIS programme in primary and post-primary schools since 2007. As well as assessing the programme’s effects on participants in a range of areas including student outcomes, much of the evaluation effort has been aimed at ‎monitoring implementation of the programme in key areas. These include school planning, the organisation of teaching and learning support, and the operation of reduced class sizes in junior classes in participating Band 1 schools.  The current report focuses on the last of these issues, and compares class size data in programme schools in 2014/15 with data from of an earlier evaluation study in which data from 2009/10 was analysed.

For the full report click here.

For a brief summary of the report click here.

The science, mathematics and reading literacy results from PISA 2015 were launched by the Department of Education and Skills, on December 6th.

The major domain for this cycle of PISA was Science. Reading literacy and Mathematics were minor domains. PISA 2015 marks the first time PISA was administered entirely on computers.

For the full report please click here.

For E-appendix click here.

For the press release click here.

A report on the first set of results from TIMSS 2015 for Ireland was launched by the Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton T.D., on November 29th. The report provides trend information on student achievement in mathematics and science at Fourth Class (primary) and Second Year (post-primary) as well as international comparisons.

Click here to view the report.

Two new reports on PISA 2012 mathematics were released on October 7th. The first, A Teacher’s Guide to PISA Mathematics and Problem Solving: Findings from PISA 2012, describes findings from the mathematics and problem-solving assessments in PISA 2012 and reflects on how these findings are relevant to the teaching and learning of mathematics in Ireland. The second report, PISA in Classrooms: Implications for the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics in Ireland, outlines practical strategies for addressing some of the main conclusions drawn from the assessment of mathematics in PISA 2012. Both reports are designed to support teachers in their understanding of PISA.

Click here for A Teacher’s Guide to PISA Mathematics and Problem Solving: Findings from PISA 2012.

Click here for PISA in Classrooms: Implications for the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics in Ireland.

Click here for the Press Release

The second report on the 2014 National Assessments of English Reading and Mathematics was launched on September 28th. The report presents analyses of data from questionnaires administered to pupils, parents, teachers and principals in conjunction with the assessments. The report aims to provide a context in which the English reading and mathematics performance outcomes outlined in the first report can be interpreted.

Click here for Report.

Click here for Press Release.

Vacancies exist for Research Assistant Posts – 

Applicants should have an honours degree (1 or 2:1) in a relevant discipline (e.g., psychology, statistics, education, social science). Advantages will include a post-graduate degree, experience of research, (especially research involving large-scale data gathering and the statistical analysis of large-scale survey data) and/or knowledge of the development of standardised tests.

Salary Scale:  €31,478 – €43,933

It is anticipated that interviews will be held in early August 2017.

Applications to include a cover letter with a curriculum vitae and the names of two referees, by 12.00 pm on Friday July 28th, 2017

to:                   vacancies@erc.ie

or by post:     Vacancies, Educational Research Centre, Drumcondra, St Patrick’s College, Dublin 9, D09 AN 2F.‎

(Emailed application will generate an automated response – if you do not ‎receive a response shortly after you submit your application please contact ‎Patricia at 01 837 37 89‎)

Click here for full job specification. Leagan Gaeilge anseo.

On the occasion of our 50th anniversary the Educational Research Centre presents its latest newsletter.

The Educational Research Centre draws on 40 years of experience in test development to provide research-based, reliable information to schools about their students. The online tests are currently available for post-primary schools only, but tests for primary schools will be added in the near future. All our tests have been specifically developed for an Irish population. Furthermore, our standardised achievement tests for 2nd Years have been designed to reflect the content of the relevant Junior Cycle curriculum.

You can visit the new online testing site here.

The Educational Research Centre has been established as a statutory body under Section 54 of the Education Act, 1998.
Extracts from formal Ministerial statement