Vol. 463 No. 5
11 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to implement the recommendations regarding the operation of transition year contained in the evaluation recently published by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6772/96]
A general report of an evaluation of the Transition Year Programme (1994-1995) by the Inspectorate of the Department was published in February 1996. The report included a number of recommendations of a general character which are essentially a matter for implementation at school level.
This evaluation indicated that 89 per cent of the schools evaluated were following the Department of Education's guidelines on the transition year programme in a satisfactory manner. Reservations were expressed on some aspects of these programmes in 11 per cent of the schools evaluated. An individual confidential report was issued to all schools.
In the case of those schools where reservations have been expressed, inspectors have visited or will shortly visit the schools for the purpose of discussing the report and offering further advice and support to the school authorities. Ongoing support and advice on implementing the recommendations of the general report will be given to all schools by the Inspectorate and the transition year support team. The transition year support team is comprised of 14 experienced transition year co-ordinators who are on release from their schools for a two year period.
