Andrew Boylan
Question:28 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools at primary and secondary levels which have prepared a school plan. [11846/00]
Written Answers. - School Development Plans.
The process of school development planning is, by its nature, ongoing. Many schools at primary and second level have been engaged in school development planning for some time and are at various stages in the developmental process. A considerable number of schools have a plan in place or are in the process of refining-revising various elements of their plan. The Education Act, 1998, requires schools to have a school plan.
There has been a strong tradition of school development in the primary sector for over 20 years, and experience of school evaluations indi cates that the vast majority of schools have documented various aspects of curriculum and school policies as part of a school plan.
My Department published comprehensive development planning guidelines for primary schools last summer in order to provide a uniform template for drawing up a school plan. These guidelines were developed in close consultation with the education partners and circulated to all primary schools.
School Development Planning – An Introduction for Second Level Schools was prepared by my Department, in consultation with the partners in education and circulated to all second level schools in September 1999. More detailed guidelines for second level schools will be issued by September 2001, following a development project being undertaken at present by 130 schools.
At second level, three surveys have been carried out to determine the level of involvement of schools in school planning. In 1999 the Secondary School Principals Association surveyed its members in 430 schools. From a 44% response rate, 26% of schools had a school plan and a further 48% had commenced the process. The secretariat for secondary schools surveyed the same schools in January-February 2000. From a 65% response rate, 85% of schools were now engaged in school planning or had a school plan. The Association of Community Schools surveyed all 83 community and comprehensive schools recently and from a 63% response rate, 84% of schools were engaged in the school planning process or had a school plan. The Irish Vocational Education Association is about to survey vocational schools and community colleges under the aegis of vocational education committees.
I have allocated £5 million as part of a school development planning initiative between 1999-2002 to assist schools in the school development planning process. It is hoped that, by the end of 2002, all schools will have embarked on the process, made good progress and very many will have a school plan in place. All schools serving disadvantaged areas at both primary and second level have been targeted for help initially as part of the school development planning initiative.