Seán Crowe
Question:376 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science if he intends addressing the challenge to introduce uniform practice in the function of the school inspectorate. [11529/04]
View answerTuesday, 27 April 2004
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Written answers
The professional code of practice on evaluation and reporting for the inspectorate has been developed and published. This code sets out the general principles and guidelines under which members of the inspectorate engage in the process of evaluation and reporting.
When inspectors are recruited, they complete an intensive induction and training programme which includes periods working with experienced inspectors in schools and centres for education. In addition, all inspectors participate in regular training programmes and seminars to ensure they are kept up-to-date with best modern practice in inspection work.
The inspectorate also engages in ongoing development of the inspection tools it uses. The refinement of observation schedules and reporting templates ensures that inspection reflects changing curricula and methodologies in schools. These documents enable inspectors to evaluate the work of schools and teachers to the highest standards. For example, standard inspection frameworks, standard forms for collecting evidence and standardised reporting templates are used during whole-school evaluation in primary and second level schools and in subject inspection in second level schools.
The inspectorate publishes information on the evaluation criteria it uses. Most recently, the inspectorate has published Guide to Subject Inspection at Second Level, which describes the inspection of subject teaching at second level. The themes and frameworks for use in whole-school evaluation — by inspectors conducting external evaluations or school communities engaging in school self-review — have been published under the titles, Looking at Our School-Primary and Looking at Our Schools-Second Level.
I should note that if a teacher or school affected by an inspection report believes the inspectorate has not conducted its work in accordance with its code of practice, the school or teacher may seek a review of the matter. The standardised procedure for such a review has been published as Procedure for Review of Inspections on Schools and Teachers under section 13(9) of the Education Act 1998.