Written answers

Tuesday, 20 June 2006

Department of Education and Science

Disadvantaged Status

10:00 pm

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 456: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to her refusal to provide data in respect of retention rates for second level schools on an area basis, if she will make these figures available for the education co-ordinators of the area partnerships in order to facilitate their work in respect of education disadvantage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23367/06]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In my opinion, it is desirable that parents and the public in general have information about schools that is meaningful, fair and fully rounded. Data on school retention in respect of individual schools or local areas are not provided by my Department as these could be used to create statistical comparisons that take account of only one dimension of school performance and outcomes and do not adjust for the varying social and educational background of students entering these schools as well as the range of learning outcomes not captured in measures of examination performance or school completion. In the absence of a broader range of outcomes such comparisons could therefore impact in a negative way on schools in disadvantaged areas.

It is my policy to facilitate the provision of the broadest and most meaningful information based on school performance through the progressive publication of school inspection reports at primary and post-primary level. My Department provides the funding for the education co-ordinators in Pobal who work with Area Partnerships throughout the country. They concentrate on target groups in need of alternative or supplementary educational supports and interact with RAPID co-ordinators to help bring a more integrated and co-ordinated approach to educational services for young people at risk of educational disadvantage. The Department will continue to work with the Area Partnerships to achieve the best possible educational outcomes for the communities they serve.

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