ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the case of evaluative information on aspects of school performance in the Republic of Ireland to illustrate the debate around the release of evaluative information into the public arena. Research in Ireland shows that half of second-level students do not attend their local schools, and that second-level schools are increasingly concerned about competition for students, with nearly half experiencing difficulties attracting enough pupils. The main protagonists for the release of examination results and school inspection reports in this case are the media, particularly the newspapers. The Department of Education and Science has been the main player on the side of those against the release of the evaluative information. The main instrument used by both those for and against the release of the evaluative information is freedom of information legislation. Contested evaluative information raises issues around the determination of whether or not the public interest is best served by releasing the information into the public arena.
