Tugadh féinmheastóireacht scoile isteach go foirmiúil i gcóras scolaíochta na hÉireann sa bhliain 2012 mar phróiseas comhoibríoch, athmhachnamhach d'athbhreithniú inmheánach scoile, dírithe ar fheabhsúchán scoile. Déanann féinmheastóireacht scoile tuilleadh forbartha ar an bpróiseas um phleanáil forbartha scoile, agus díríonn sé go daingean ar theagasc agus foghlaim. Chuir Imlitir 0039/2012 dualgas ar gach scoil gabháil le próiseas na féinmheastóireachta scoile, agus leag sé amach an aidhm agus an bunús atá leis. In Imlitir 0039/2016 leagtar amach an chaoi inar chóir do scoileanna leanúint ar aghaidh le féinmheastóireacht scoile a chur i bhfeidhm.
Le féinmheastóireacht scoile bíonn fiosrú athmhachnamhach ann as a dtiocfaidh pleanáil gnímh d'fheabhsúchán atá á treorú ag fianaise a bhailítear laistigh den chomhthéacs uathúil atá ag gach scoil. Cuireann an próiseas ar chumas na scoileanna an fhianaise seo a úsáid chun spriocanna agus gníomhartha fiúntacha agus sainiúla d'fheabhsúchán a aithint a dhíríonn ar chleachtais teagaisc agus foghlama. Cuireann sé ar a gcumas pleananna feabhsúcháin a chruthú agus a chur i bhfeidhm, a ndul chun cinn a thomhas, agus a ngnóthachtálacha a aithint.
School self-evaluation was formally introduced into the Irish school system in 2012 as a collaborative, reflective process of internal school review, focused on school improvement. School self-evaluation further develops the school development planning process, and focuses it firmly on teaching and learning. Circular 0039/2012 required all schools to engage in the school self-evaluation process, and set out its purpose and rationale. Circular 0039/2016 sets out how schools should continue to implement school self-evaluation.
School self-evaluation involves reflective enquiry leading to action planning for improvement that is informed by evidence gathered within each school's unique context. The process enables schools to use this evidence to identify meaningful and specific targets and actions for improvement that focus on teaching and learning practices. It enables them to create and implement improvement plans, to measure their progress, and to identify their achievements.