ASSESSMENT PROCESS: (Preliminary Assessment)
- Once a valid application is received your child’s name is placed on a WAITING LIST for Preliminary Assessment. You can commence home education while you wait for assessment. If your child was attending a school prior to this we will write to the school to notify them that you have submitted an application and are waiting a preliminary assessment.
- Once your child’s case is allocated to an assessor, the assessor will make contact with you via telephone or email, to arrange a time and a date that is convenient for you. The assessor will also look at the application form that you submitted which provides a lot about the education that you are providing.
- On day of assessment the assessor will make contact with you to make sure all is going according to plan. The assessor will also bring a template report form to assist with note taking. It is the same template report form that is used for all preliminary assessments.
- The assessor will begin by asking a background for the education provision that you are providing, and also the learning environment. The assessor will then ask about the education provision and in particular each of the following areas:
Language & Literacy:
Here the assessor will ask about how are you are developing, or proposing to develop, your child’s language and literacy skills in the areas of reading, writing and oral language.
Numeracy Skills:
The assessor will then ask about numeracy skills, and how you are developing – or how you propose to develop – your child’s numeracy skills and their understanding of numbers, number operations and the practical application.
Other Areas:
Other areas of learning is anything else that your child is interested in and which expands their knowledge and interest. This can range from historic, geographical to the arts and crafts.
Physical Development:
It is important for children to engage in regular physical activity for their over all health and well being and to develop their Fine & Gross motor skills.
Social/Emotional/Moral:
Here the assessor is asking about opportunities you provide for your child to engage socially, how they can express themselves and their moral awareness.
Irish:
The assessor will then ask about Irish and/or any additional language. While Irish is not obligatory for home education in Ireland the assessor will provide details for you to discuss this further with the Department Education & Skills.
Assessment & Record Keeping:
The assessor will ask how your child receives feedback and encouragement. If there is anything additional that you would like to include you will have the opportunity to do so at the end of the assessment.
The assessor may make recommendations to support the existing education provision. Where a determination cannot be made, a more in-depth assessment maybe required. This is called a Comprehensive Assessment. There may be 2 assessors required for a comprehensive assessment.
Once the assessment is complete the assessor will then type up the report this will be emailed or posted to you. Along with a “Factual Accuracy Form” to correct any error. You will have 10 days to return this form to TULSA AEARS.
You will then receive the Final Report after the Registration Panel meets
If you want more information contact:
Tulsa AEARS: 01 771-8633 or home.education@tulsa.ie