What do my child’s standardised test scores mean?
What do standardised tests measure?
Standardised tests in English reading and maths measure your child’s achievement compared to other children in all schools at the same class or age level. The standardised test in Irish reading measures a child’s achievement compared to other children in Irish-speaking schools at the same class or age level.
When does my child complete standardised tests?
Your child completes standardised tests towards the end of 2nd, 4th and 6th classes. Your child only completes a standardised test in Irish reading if he/she attends an Irish-speaking school. Réalt na Mara uses standardised tests with Rang 1 to Rang 6 in May each year.
Do all children take standardised tests?
Your child’s teacher will decide which children will take the tests. For example, if your child’s first language is not English, the teacher may decide that he/she should not take the English reading test. Your child may, however, take the maths test. If your child has a learning or physical disability, the teacher may decide to use a different way to measure your child’s progress.
Are standardised tests the only way of gathering information about my child’s learning?
No. Teachers use many different assessments to build a picture of your child’s learning during the year. The teacher uses the picture to celebrate your child’s achievements and to plan the next steps needed to build on progress made.
If my child’s score is low, what does this tell me?
A STen score of 1, 2 or 3 suggests that your child may have difficulties in one of the areas tested. Other assessments may be used to determine if this is the case. Information about your child’s learning and development at home e.g. homework, may also be helpful to the teacher. Teachers at your child’s school may decide that your child would benefit from extra support. If so, your child’s teacher will talk to you about this.
If my child’s score is high, what does this tell me?
A STen score of 8, 9 or 10 may suggest that your child is a high achiever in the area tested. As with low scores, one high score is not enough to confirm this. Your child’s teacher will use information from other classroom assessments to understand more clearly how well your child is doing in maths, English reading or Irish reading. The teacher may talk to you about extra learning opportunities that you and the school can provide for your child.
What can affect my child’s test score?
As with other tests your child does in school, the score on a standardised test can be affected by how he/she feels on the test day or by worry or excitement about a home or school event. This means that each test score is an indication of your child’s achievement. Remember that you play an important role in encouraging and supporting your chiId regardless of test results. You may like to arrange to meet with your child’s teacher if you have any concerns about his/ her scores.
How can I help my child?
The NCCA has developed some online resources to help you to support your child's learning in primary school. Many of these are available in various languages, and new resources are regularly added to the parents’ page at www.ncca.ie/parents. Take a look at the resources for your child's class.
For a downloadable version of the information above, please click the link below.
STen Score Info for Parents.pdf