Written answers

Wednesday, 15 February 2006

Department of Education and Science

School Evaluations

9:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the level of consultation with school pupils which is entered into by her Department as part of the whole school evaluation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5570/06]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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During whole school evaluation at primary and post-primary levels, inspectors from the Department of Education and Science consult with the members of the school community, including parents, teachers, principal teacher and members of the board of management. In post-primary schools where student councils have been established, inspectors meet with the representatives of the students during a whole-school evaluation.

This meeting is intended to provide the students' representatives with opportunities to give their views on the management and organisation of the school, the quality of curriculum provision, the quality of learning and teaching at the school and the quality of support for students. Students' views are also sought on the atmosphere of the school and the extent to which students are involved in decision making. A teacher can be present at these meetings but does not participate in the discussion.

Inspectors engage with students in a variety of ways during all whole-school evaluations at both primary and post-primary level. The interaction with students usually occurs in classrooms — both in mainstream and in support contexts — learning support rooms, resource rooms, and while working with tutors or other personnel. This can involve engagement with the class as a whole or with individual students. Engagement with whole classes includes targeted or open questioning, the assignment of appropriate tasks or the evaluation of skill development. In classes where students are engaged in practical tasks or in group work, the inspector may also engage with groups or individuals as the lesson progresses. These interactions provide the inspector with first-hand insight into the level of student learning and achievement and an understanding of the context of the individual class.

When carrying out surveys of provision in schools as part of thematic evaluations, inspectors also consult students. In recent evaluations of ICT and Traveller education provision in primary and post-primary schools structured interviews were held with groups of students to obtain their views about the matters being evaluated.

Inspectors' interactions with students and other members of the school community are undertaken in accordance with the professional code of practice on evaluation and reporting for the inspectorate, 2002. The general principles of the code are that inspectors will be consistent, fair and courteous and work with members of the school community in a climate of mutual respect. Inspectors are also committed to basing their judgments on first-hand evidence and to applying evaluation criteria objectively and reliably. It is very important to obtain the views and attitudes of students about educational matters and it is a very important component of the whole-school evaluation process.

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