An advisory group to the Minister for Education has raised concerns about the proposed introduction of standardised testing in primary schools.
The group which advises the Minister, Ms Hanafin, on assessment issues says the plans could demoralise some schools and put pressure on parents to "buy" pre-test grinds.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) also warns that tests could also damage children with special education needs.
The NCCA makes these warnings in a confidential 11-page discussion document on the proposed tests.
The document has been forwarded to Ms Hanafin, who has still to make any decision on the issue of standardised testing.
The NCCA warns that the Department must satisfy itself about the precise purpose of the tests, how they will be used and who will have access to the data before making any decision.
It points to several risks including:
Demoralising of students where a high number of students have low scores;
Positive reinforcement of schools with high scores (generally those in more affluent areas);
Pressure on teachers to coach children for tests and to focus teaching and learning on the test;
Pressure on parents to buy grinds;
The use of pre-enrolment selection by schools to raise test scores.
In a surprise move, the former education minister, Mr Noel Dempsey, signalled a move to standardised testing for all primary students in first and sixth class in July.
Under the plan teachers would also be required to test pupils at one other time in primary school.
Ms Hanafin has stressed that no decision will be made "until after I have carried out a thorough exploration of all the issues relating to the announcement made by my predecessor last July".
She said that, having read the NCCA report, she would be in a position to engage in further consultations with the relevant partners, including teachers and parents.
In October, Ms Hanafin told the Dáil it was not the Department's intention to use the results of standardised tests to compile school league tables.
Nor would they be used as a standalone measure to determine the allocation of resources to individual pupils and schools, or as a standalone criterion to measure the effectiveness of individual teachers and schools.
Ms Hanafin is known to be concerned about rushing into a system that might put pressure on students, parents and, in particular, very young children in the primary system before the nature of the tests used has been worked out.
The proposed new State tests will be the first in primary schools since the Primary Certificate was abolished in 1967.
At present, a range of tests are employed by teachers in primary schools, particularly to test maths and reading standards.
According to the NCCA document, some 42 per cent of second-level schools also set tests for incoming first years.
