The ERC has published its Strategic Plan for 2025-2030, a blueprint that will guide the organisation through the next phase of growth, innovation, and impact in the fields of education and research in Ireland. This plan builds on the ERC’s almost 60-year history of producing evidence-based research insights and high-quality assessment support services that facilitateRead more…
Author: erc
Fógra rúin go bhfoilseofar Scéim Ghaeilge / Notice of Intention to publish an Irish Language Scheme
Ag teacht le hAcht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (arna leasú), tá Scéim Ghaeilge á fhorbairt ag an FTO faoi láthair agus táimid ag lorg uiríll ó pháirtithe leasmhara maidir le hábhar na Scéime. Iarrtar ar pháirtithe leasmhara aon ionchur a sheoladh chuig an FTO faoi 5pm ar 23 Aibreán. Is féidir ionchuir a chur i bhfoirmRead more…
Eolas ón ERC – April 2025 Newsletter
You can read the ERC’s April 2025 Newsletter here. This newsletter includes information on: The ERC Drumcondra Tests The benefits of online testing via DOTS ERC’s redevelopment of its Irish langauge tests Exemptions and Reasonable Accommodations
Environmental knowledge and attitudes in Ireland’s schools: Findings from TIMSS 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70092/5142220.0525 Authors: Aidan Clerkin, George Piccio, Sylvia Denner, Vasiliki Pitsia, and Gráinne McHugh Title: Environmental knowledge and attitudes in Ireland’s schools: Findings from TIMSS 2023 Abstract: This report presents findings for Ireland for two aspects of students’ environmental awareness that were captured for the first time in the 2023 cycle of TIMSS (Trends inRead more…
ERC commences development of new versions of Drumcondra Tests for Irish Language
The ERC is pleased to announce that we have commenced the redevelopment of our two primary-level Irish language standardised tests, which are used in Irish-medium and English-medium primary schools across Ireland. The current tests (Triail Ghaeilge Dhroim Conrach do Bhunscoileanna Gaeltachta agus Lán-Ghaeilge (TGD-G) and Triail Ghaeilge Dhroim Conrach do Scoileanna Rialta (TGD-R)), which haveRead more…
Irish Journal of Education, Vol. 48, 2024
Randomised Controlled Trials in Education: An Experiment Worth Taking? John O’Connor Appropriately designed and implemented randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are increasingly promoted as the gold standard for objective evaluations of effectiveness and impact in education. The rise in the use of RCTs in education in many countries is based on the belief that by determiningRead more…
PISA 2025 – Message to schools & teachers
The ERC is grateful to schools for their participation and support in helping us administer PISA in schools in Ireland. Over 8,000 students from 172 post-primary schools will take part in PISA over the next 6 weeks. PISA is a skills based assessment that informs us how well equipped students are for life after school.Read more…
What is Standardised Testing?
Standardised testing is a way for schools to check how well pupils are progressing in key areas such as English, Irish, and Maths. The ERC Drumcondra tests (known as “Drumcondras”) are standardised tests. Standardised tests measure a student’s achievement compared to the population of students across all schools in Ireland. The ERC tests provide information about studentRead more…
Five Benefits of using Online or Compuster based standardised tests
The ERC DOTS platform is the only online platform offering standardised tests to schools in Ireland. Here are five benefits of using online or computer-based tests over traditional paper testing for schools: Immediate Feedback and Faster ResultsDOTS based tests provide instant access to results and reports for teachers and schools, reducing waiting times for assessmentRead more…
