Author: erc

Temporary positions available for the scoring of student responses on reading, mathematics and science assessments About the Positions In April, May and June 2018, the Educational Research Centre (ERC) will be involved in scoring student responses on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). PISA isRead more…

The ERC publishes a new review of the international evidence on strategies identified as effective in addressing educational disadvantage, updating a similar review carried out by the Educational Research Centre in 2005 (Archer & Weir, 2005). The literature relating to each of six main strategies identified as effective in addressing educational disadvantage is summarised andRead more…

The second report in the ERC’s new Research Series was released on December 18th 2017. The Research Series is designed to provide regular and accessible reports on aspects of the research carried out by the Centre. The new report is titled Inside the primary classroom: What happens in Fourth Class? and was written by AidanRead more…

Ireland’s national report on PIRLS and ePIRLS 2016 has been released, to coincide with the release of the international reports on the two studies.  PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study) takes place every five years and examines the reading achievement of pupils in Fourth Class.  The 2016 cycle also saw the introduction of anRead more…

Gerry Shiel and Cathy Kelleher (ERC) have completed an evaluation of the impact of Project Maths on performance in Junior Cycle mathematics on behalf of the NCCA. The report draws on achievement data from international assessments and national examinations, as well as interview data involving mathematics teachers,  to identify strengths and weaknesses in students’ mathematicalRead more…

All DES funding to promote engagement with standardised tests at post-primary level has now been allocated.  Successful applicants will now have free access to new tests of English reading and Mathematics for Second Years, using the Drumcondra Online Testing System (DOTS). Funding was on a first-come first-served basis. All our tests remain available for sale.Read more…

The ERC published the baseline report on the Digital Learning Framework (DLF) Trial Evaluation on May 17, 2018. The report gives a starting context for interpreting the overall findings and progress made by participating schools over the course of the trial, which concludes in June, 2018. The final report on the DLF trial evaluation will beRead more…

Tom Kellaghan, founding Director of the Educational Research Centre, has died aged 83 years on March 10 after a short illness.  Born in Mullingar, he lived in Tralee for several years before returning to Mullingar to complete his secondary schooling.  He spent time as a seminarian in the African Society of Missions before studying atRead more…

The current report describes the results of testing in reading and maths among 17,000 second, third, fifth and sixth class students in 118 urban DEIS schools in 2016. Data on these students’ attitudes to school and school work are also described. The findings indicate that achievement in reading and maths has continued to improve inRead more…