Sharing of information on students’ progress is part of National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy
From this September, all children who are transitioning from primary to post primary schools will have their end of year report card sent to their new school.
This sharing of information is aimed at ensuring that a rounded picture of children’s ability and achievement at primary school is available to their new school.
This approach will ensure continuity and progression for students and also alert secondary schools if any child will need additional support to improve their literacy and numeracy skills.
Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn T.D. announced this progressive move which is part of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy.
“I believe that this sharing of information between primary and second level schools is a common sense approach that will benefit both students and teachers. This “education passport” will mean that the child’s end of year report card including results from the standardised tests taken in sixth class will be available to the second level school.”
Minister Quinn continued, “However, it is important to note that this information will only be made available to a second level school after a child has accepted a place at that school. The information cannot be used to cherry-pick the best performing pupils or to exclude those who may have learning difficulties.”
In the first instance, as is always the case, parents will be given their child’s school report card by the primary school to give them a picture of how their child is progressing.
As a result of today’s announcement, each post-primary principal is now responsible for informing the principal of each primary school of the names of students for whom enrolment has been confirmed.
In turn, the principal of each primary school is then required to send a copy of the end of year report card, including the information from standardised literacy and numeracy tests taken in sixth class to the second level school. Reporting templates have been developed for this purpose by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
These new moves are part of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, launched last year by the Minister. The Strategy is a key commitment in the programme for Government.
Minister Quinn said, “Literacy and numeracy are among the most important skills taught in our schools. A child has to learn to read in order to be able to read to learn. These skills are fundamental to a person’s ability to succeed in education, to gain fulfilling employment and to lead a satisfying and rewarding life.”