The ERC provides a range of tests to primary and post-primary schools. Full details of all the tests that are currently available to buy (in paper and/or online format), along with existing support services such as machine scoring, can be found at www.tests.erc.ie.
Information about ongoing and forthcoming test development is provided below (first in Irish, then in English).
Gaeilge:
In 2023, tá tús á chur ag an FTO le céim nua, ilbhliantúil d’fhorbairt trialacha ina mbeidh fócas ar leith ar fheabhas a chur ar ár soláthar do mheasúnuithe Gaeilge do páistí i scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge. Is iad seo a leanas ár dtosaíochtaí láithreacha do mheasúnuithe:
- Measúnú agus Diagnóisic Litearthachta don Iar-bhunscoil Ghaeilge (MDLI-G).
Is ionann MDLI-G agus leagan Gaeilge den triail PPAD-E atá ar fáil faoi láthair do scoláirí iar-bhunscoile. Tá sé forbartha ag An tSeirbhís Náisiúnta Síceolaíochta Oideachais [SNSO] i gcomhar leis an FTO. Cliceáil anseo chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil.
- Leaganacha nuashonraithe dár dtrialacha litearthachta agus uimhearthachta luathscagtha agus diagnóiseacha, leaganacha ar fáil i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla araon:
- Triail Luathlitearthachta Dhroim Conrach – Scagthástáil agus Diagnóisic (Gaeilge)
- Drumcondra Test of Early Literacy – Screening and Diagnostic (Béarla)
- Triail Luathuimhearthachta Dhroim Conrach – Scagthástáil agus Diagnóisic (Gaeilge)
- Drumcondra Test of Early Numeracy – Screening and Diagnostic (Béarla)
Tá na trialacha seo deartha chun iad a riar ar dhaltaí ag deireadh Rang na Naíonáin Shinsearacha agus ag tús Rang a hAon. Beidh faisnéis níos mionsonraithe ar fáil níos déanaí.
- Leaganacha nuashonraithe den Triail Ghaeilge Dhroim Conrach do Bhunscoileanna Gaeltachta agus Lán-Ghaeilge (TGD-G). Cuimseoidh siad seo trialacha do dhaltaí ó rang a hAon go rang a Sé, agus beidh tástálacha ar fáil ar líne agus ar pháipéar araon ó rang a Trí ar aghaidh. Beidh faisnéis níos mionsonraithe ar fáil níos déanaí.
Próiseas fada agus casta is ea forbairt trialacha: go minic déantar tástálacha a réamhphíolótú, ansin a phíolótú, agus ansin a chaighdeánú/a bhailíochtú ar shampla náisiúnta ionadaíoch leanaí. Tarlaíonn scálú agus déantar noirm nó critéir thagartha a fhorbairt nuair a bhíonn an caighdeánú/bailíochtú déanta. De ghnáth, tógann sé trí bliana ar a laghad chun triail a fhorbairt.
Táimid go mór faoi chomaoin ag leanaí, múinteoirí, agus foireann eile na scoile as a gcuid ama agus iarrachta agus iad páirteach i dtrialacha píolótacha agus i staidéir chaighdeánaithe/bhailíochtaithe. Ní bheadh ar ár gcumas ábhair mheasúnaithe ar ardchaighdeán a fhorbairt gan a rannpháirtíocht.
English:
In 2023, the ERC is commencing a new, multi-year phase of test development with a particular focus on enhancing our provision of Irish-language assessment for children in Irish-medium schools. The following assessments are our immediate priorities:
- Measúnú agus Diagnóisic Litearthachta don Iarbhunscoil Ghaeilge (MDLI-G).
MDLI-G is an Irish-language equivalent to the existing PPAD-E test for post-primary students. It is developed collaboratively by the National Educational Psychological Service [NEPS] and the ERC. Click here to learn more.
- Updated versions of our early screening and diagnostic tests of literacy and numeracy, with versions in both Irish and English:
- Triail Luathlitearthachta Dhroim Conrach – Scagthástáil agus Diagnóisic (Gaeilge)
- Drumcondra Test of Early Literacy – Screening and Diagnostic (English)
- Triail Luathuimhearthachta Dhroim Conrach – Scagthástáil agus Diagnóisic (Gaeilge)
- Drumcondra Test of Early Numeracy – Screening and Diagnostic (English)
These tests are designed for administration to pupils at the end of Senior Infants and the start of First Class. More detailed information will follow.
- Updated versions of the Triail Ghaeilge Dhroim Conrach do Bhunscoileanna Gaeltachta agus Lán-Ghaeilge (TGD-G). These will comprise tests for pupils in First to Sixth class, with tests available in both online and paper format from Third class upwards. More detailed information will follow.
Test development is a lengthy and complex process: tests are often pre-piloted, then piloted, then standardised/validated on a nationally representative sample of children. Scaling and the development of norms or reference criteria follows standardisation/validation. Typically, it takes a minimum of three years for a test to be developed.
We greatly appreciate the time and effort contributed by the children, teachers, and other school staff who participate in test piloting and standardisation/validation studies. We could not develop high-quality assessment materials without their participation.