Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 447: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if an evaluation of the DEIS programme has been carried out since its introduction; the way he evaluates the outcomes of this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40052/09]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A vital element of the DEIS initiative is the commitment to develop and implement an in-depth programme of research and evaluation to inform policy formation and to facilitate a better understanding of the role which interventions have to play in the achievement of better outcomes for children targeted by the DEIS action plan.

DEIS provides for evaluation which is formative, that is providing feedback on the operation of the programme, and summative, providing the basis for a judgment regarding the overall worth or value of a particular measure.

In this context, my Department has commissioned the Educational Research Centre (ERC) to conduct an independent evaluation of measures in the School Support Programme (SSP) over the period of the DEIS action plan to 2010. This evaluation will attempt to monitor the implementation of the programme and assess its impact on students, families, schools, and communities at primary and post-primary levels. The thrust of the evaluation will be systemic in the sense that it will be designed to inform policy on the role that initiatives like DEIS can play in promoting social inclusion and to identify models of good practice. It also attempts to assess the extent to which schools are making progress in relation to the three year action plans that are currently being implemented by individual schools and school clusters participating in the SSP.

A report prepared by the ERC on Educational Disadvantage in Primary Schools in Rural Areas has been already submitted to my Department. The report represents an analysis of English reading and mathematics achievement in schools in the rural dimension of the DEIS School Support Programme. This is currently under consideration by my Department. A substantive report on the DEIS evaluation is expected in mid 2010.

An important element of the evaluation process was the setting up of steering groups consisting of stakeholders at primary and post primary levels to provide advice and support on the ongoing evaluation process.

The first stage of the evaluation was the commencement of the monitoring of change in achievement (test scores at primary level; examination results at post-primary level) and other pupil outcomes over the period 2006/07 to 2009/10. Initial tests in some 480 selected DEIS primary schools were conducted in May 2007 to establish baseline data against which outcomes of later tests could be compared. Further testing will take place in May 2010.

The second stage of the evaluation involved surveys of participating schools (primary and post-primary) to assess their progress in relation to targets specified in their action plans. School Questionnaire, completed on a number of occasions over the course of the evaluation, will be used in conjunction with other data available to my Department. The evaluation will also include attitudinal surveys which will examine the views and observations of teachers, pupils and parents as well as other key personnel engaged in delivering supports under DEIS.

In addition to the work of the ERC the Inspectorate has been undertaking work in relation to evaluation of practice and setting out examples of good practice. The forthcoming publication of Good Practice in Literacy in Numeracy in Disadvantaged Primary Schools is relevant in this regard. Furthermore, the inspectorate's evaluations in DEIS schools (Whole School Evaluations, Subject evaluations, specific evaluation of the effective use of additional supports in particular DEIS schools etc.) will feed into the overall evaluation of DEIS.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 448: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount that has been spent on the DEIS programme since its introduction; if he will provide a yearly breakdown of the funding allocated to this programme; the number of schools benefiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40053/09]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), the action plan for educational inclusion was launched by Minister for Education and Science in 2005. The Action Plan brings together and builds upon the full range of schemes and programmes already in place in my Department to combat educational disadvantage. DEIS includes a commitment to add an additional €40million and some 300 posts to the provision already in place.

DEIS provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and an integrated School Support Programme (SSP). As a result of the identification and review processes, 881 schools have been included in the School Support Programme (SSP) under DEIS. These comprise 679 primary schools (urban and rural) and 202 second-level schools. In total some €808m has been committed to tackling educational disadvantage since DEIS was launched.

The following figures illustrate the yearly breakdown of expenditure on DEIS: DEIS Expenditure Year € Million 2006 187 2007 198 2008 210 2009 213 Total 808

Since DEIS was launched in 2005, considerable progress has been made in relation to the roll out of supports to participating schools.

These supports include: - reduced pupil teacher ratios in primary schools in urban areas with most disadvantage. - allocation of administrative principals on lower figures than generally apply in primary schools in urban areas. - additional capitation funding based on levels of disadvantage. - additional funding for schools books. - access to the School Meals Programme - access to numeracy/literacy supports and measures at primary level. - access to Home School Community Liaison services. - access to the School Completion Programme. - enhanced guidance counselling provision at post primary level. - access to planning supports. - provision for school library and librarian support in post primary schools with most disadvantage - access to the Junior Certificate School Programme and Leaving Certificate Applied - access to a range of professional development supports.