David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress in relation to the action research pilot project on teacher induction in second level schools supported by his Department during the 2002-03 school year; the number of new qualified teachers and mentors that participated; the outcome of the project; the situation in the current school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9830/04]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The teacher induction pilot project was developed by my Department in conjunction with the Standing Committee of Teacher Unions and University Education Departments and was introduced in September 2002. The central thrust of the teacher induction pilot project is on supporting the professional development of newly qualified teachers by way of appropriate systematic support in the probationary year and thus laying the foundations for subsequent professional growth and renewal. Key dimensions of the pilot project include a whole school approach to supporting newly qualified teachers, briefings for principals, a training programme for mentor teachers, various supports for newly qualified teachers and inter-school networking using information and communication technologies.

The teacher induction pilot project comprises two distinct pillars, namely, a primary pillar and a post primary pillar. During the 2002-03 academic year or phase I of the project, both pillars completed the action research phase of the pilot. At post primary level this phase involved some 40 newly qualified teachers and 12 mentors. In June 2003, in recognition of the importance of induction within the continuum of professional development for teachers, I announced that the project would be extended for a further year. The funding provided at post primary level for the academic year 2003-04 allowed for the inclusion of a further 12 mentors and 40 newly qualified teachers, in what is considered to be phase II of the project. The extension of the pilot also allowed for a regional expansion of the project which has been facilitated by a structured programme of support delivered by the post primary pillar in conjunction with the Education Centre Network.

The qualitative and quantitative data collated from research questionnaires, focus group meetings, seminar feedback during the 2002-03 school year has informed the recently prepared draft interim report on the pilot project. This research was also presented at a consultative forum on induction, organised by my Department and attended by representatives of my Department, the colleges of education, universities, teacher unions and other bodies involved in teacher education in January of this year. It is envisaged that the final report scheduled for completion in June 2004 will incorporate the findings of phases I and II of the project and contain recommendations regarding future models of programme delivery. It is also proposed to hold a dissemination seminar to inform the education partners, my Department and other third level institutions of the issues arising from the teacher induction pilot project.