Backed by 60 years of research, we are Ireland’s leading supplier of standardised tests and assessment supports in Ireland.
More details...Our mission is to enhance learning outcomes for all students by conducting high-quality research and by developing effective assessment tools that will support better learning and inform policy.
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Research Areas
In line with the ERC Research Strategy, the current research programme of the ERC includes the following workstreams:
NAMER
National Assessments of Mathematics and English Reading
NAMER stands for National Assessments of Mathematics and English Reading. The Educational Research Centre (ERC) has designed…
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ERC Tests
Test Development
The ERC has a long history of developing assessment supports and standardised tests for use in schools. Today we are the leading supplier of these tests to schools in Ireland…
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PISA
The OECD’s PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) is the largest international study of education…
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PIRLS
The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) is a comparative study of reading literacy of Fourth grade pupils..
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TIMSS
TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) is a project of the International Association for the Evaluation…
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Data analysis
Data analysis
The ERC provides ongoing support to the Department of Education in the analysis and modelling of data for specific programmes.
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Recent Publications
Read all PublicationsSix strategies for bridging the transition to post-16 chemistry: Ireland’s Transition Year model.
Learning from employers’ perspectives on Transition Year work experience
Assessing inconsistent responding in digital and paper formats: A replication study using the TIMSS 2023 Confidence in Mathematics scale in Ireland
About the ERC
The Educational Research Centre (ERC) is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in research, assessment and evaluation in education. The Centre carries out research at all levels of the education system. Research is undertaken on behalf of the Department of Education, at the request of other agencies and on the initiative of the ERC itself and its staff. The ERC provides an assessment support service to schools, supplying a range of standardised tests to primary and post-primary schools. The ERC Drumcondra tests are the leading standardised tests used in Irish schools.
The ERC also publishes the Irish Journal of Education.
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