Minister for Education Mary Hanafin will meet teachers' and parents' groups next month to discuss publishing inspection reports on schools compiled by her officials.
Ms Hanafin, who has already ruled out introducing school league tables, believes the files will give parents an insight into the quality of teaching and management before enrolling their students.
The National Parents' Council said tonight the publication of the documents would make schools more accountable.
"It's just about the school giving parents the best options to their individual child," said president Eleanor Petrie.
The inspection reports will give parents an assessment of the overall quality of teaching and management in primary and secondary schools, but will not include exam results.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled against the publication of primary school inspection reports.
The Labour Party said that any assessment of schools must also give information on physical conditions of classrooms, toilets and play areas.
"The Government needs to give information not only on performance and the state of our schools but it must also provide adequate resources to bring schools up to a particular standard," said education spokeswoman Jan O'Sullivan. "Anything less is allowing the social class divided in our schools to continue."