The INTO has rejected reports today that it has backed the proposed testing system for primary school students.
Responding to reports that the union had altered its position on the controversial tests, announced last year by the-then Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, the INTO said it had not agreed anything "as yet".
INTO general secretary Mr John Carr said the union had noted the statement from the new Minister, Ms Hanafin, said she did not support assessment for the purpose of creating league tables. However, no agreement had been reached.
In a statement yesterday, the INTO said it supported the development of "an agreed national assessment policy" for primary schools.
"The Minister's confirmation that she has no interest in pupil assessment that would result in the compilation of league tables provides a context in which this policy can be developed," the body said.
The union would engage with the Minister to develop such a policy, which must include, among other things, the development of appropriate diagnostic tests made freely available to children at senior infant level and a guarantee from the Department of Education that "appropriate intervention" would automatically follow an assessment that identified a particular need.