Michael D'Arcy
Question:40 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether Breaking the Cycle has demonstrated sufficient beneficial effect to warrant extension to new areas. [7242/00]
Written Answers. - Breaking the Cycle Scheme.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Question:44 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give details of his plans to expand the Breaking the Cycle scheme following his assessment of the scheme. [7127/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 44 together.
The Breaking the Cycle pilot project was introduced in 33 urban and 123 rural schools in 1996 to test models of intervention which would offset the effects of educational disadvantage over a five year period. The Educational Research Centre has been commissioned to evaluate the breaking the cycle project. In 1996 the centre initiated a programme of testing to establish baseline data against which the impact of the project could be measured. This programme included identification of attainment levels in literacy and numeracy in third and sixth classes in the urban schools in the project and in a sample of 50 of the rural schools. It is proposed to assess pupils' literacy and numeracy attainment again in May 2000. The impact of the initiative on pupil attainment will be measured in this context and reported on in the final evaluation report, which will be available to my Department in December 2001. Any extension of the Breaking the Cycle project to further schools will be considered in light of this report.
The Deputy will be aware that I have set the tackling of educational disadvantage as a priority. My Department is working with the Educational Research Centre on finalising a range of indicators which will form the basis of a questionnaire to be sent to all primary schools, including schools included in the Breaking the Cycle initiative. The purpose of this questionnaire will be to identify levels of educational disadvantage among pupils and schools across the primary system.
I will be bringing forward proposals for a major initiative to address the needs of pupils who are encountering educational disadvantage within the primary system. The work which my Department is finalising on the proposed questionnaire will allow for an accurate identification of the pupils in question. I expect this work will be completed shortly.
Based on the levels of need identified through the questionnaire, my objective is to introduce a range of significant and specifically targeted interventions which will ensure disadvantaged children receive the support they require to enable them to succeed in the education system. The interventions in question will take the form of extra teacher support or extra funding, or both, depending on the nature and level of need identified. I expect to make a further announcement on this matter in the near future.