asked the Minister for Education the precise area covered by the research conducted by (a) the Spiral curriculum project at Shannon, (b) the Trinity College Dublin-City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee project, (c) the city of Galway project and any other local curriculum innovation undertaken; and the terms of reference of the interim Curriculum and Examinations Board concerning any other curriculum research project in the country.
Written Answers. - Curriculum Development Research.
293.
(a) The Spiral II project, based at Shannon Curriculum Development Centre in St. Patricks Comprehensive School, has produced a series of alternative senior cycle programmes. The project has also developed programmes designated to promote equality of opportunity for young women. A junior cycle Irish Language course has also been developed.
(b) The City of Dublin VEC Curriculum Development Unit, located in Trinity College, Dublin, is engaged in a range of activities related to the curriculum at second level. Among the specific activities of the unit are the development of vocational preparation and training (VPT) programmes, the Dublin inner city education project, the young women workers project and the European Community environmental education network.
(c) (i) The project for the integrated provision of education (PIPE) offers three activity-based courses, community action, enterprise development and working world for senior cycle, VPT and transition year students. For junior cycle students PIPE is developing a technology course at group and intermediate certificate level. The project is based in the city of Galway VEC's Curriculum Development Centre.
(ii) The Marino curriculum service of the Irish Christian Brothers provides a curriculum support service and inservice education to the voluntary second level area, without regard for denomination. It is directed by the Professor of Education in TCD and TCD validates its inservice programmes. At the moment the programmes are concerned with technology in the school curriculum and various aspects of the transition year (life skills training, development education, religious education).
(iii) Institiúid Teangeolaiochta Éireann is engaged on projects relating to the teaching of languages at first and second level.
(iv) The Educational Research Centre at St. Patricks Training College, Drumcondra, Dublin, is engaged in curriculum evaluation and research at first and second level.
(v) The Department of Education's inspectors as part of their normal duties, have always engaged in syllabus and curriculum research and development individually, through the Department's curriculum units and through action research projects funded by the Department's research committee.
(vi) The North Tipperary VEC Curriculum Development Centre is engaged in the following projects at second level; (a) learning for life (b) applications oriented mathematics (c) VPTP Secretarial studies (d) other VPTP programmes. The centre is located in the committee's administrative offices in Nenagh.
(d) The terms of reference of the Interim Curriculum and Examinations Board include the following: "The Board shall take cognisance of the experience and outcome of research and curriculum development and shall where necessary propose and promote further initiatives in those areas.