Written answers

Wednesday, 4 May 2011

Department of Education and Skills

Educational Disadvantage

9:00 pm

Photo of Seán CroweSeán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the date on which he will publish the Educational Research Centre evaluation and report of the DEIS scheme; the date on which he will publish the evaluation by his Department's inspectorate of the implementation of DEIS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9831/11]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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In 2006, my Department commissioned the Educational Research Centre (ERC) to commence a comprehensive evaluation of DEIS, the action plan for educational inclusion. The aim of the evaluation is to monitor the implementation of the programme and assess its impact on students, families, schools, and communities at primary and post-primary levels. The evaluation has involved the testing of pupils together with attitudinal studies focusing on pupils, teachers and a wide group of other stakeholders. An advisory group was established to support the evaluation.

The forthcoming report, which is expected shortly, is the second in a series of reports and deals with the evaluation of DEIS at primary level with a particular focus on change in English reading and mathematics between 2007 and 2010. A previous report on DEIS focusing on rural disadvantage is available for download from the Educational Research Centre website (www.erc.ie). I envisage that the forthcoming report will also be made available following consideration within my Department and by the Advisory Group.

In parallel with the ERC's research on pupil attainment in DEIS schools, the Inspectorate of my Department conducted evaluations of planning in a sample of 36 DEIS schools. Evaluations were completed in 18 primary schools in spring 2010 and in 18 post-primary schools in the period September to December 2010. Reports on the effectiveness of planning and target setting in each of the schools have been provided to the board of management of each school. A national composite report on the effectiveness of DEIS planning in the primary schools has been completed and is expected to be published by June 2011. A composite report on the effectiveness of DEIS planning in the sample of post-primary schools is under preparation and is expected to be available by August 2011.

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