Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 May 2014
79. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the inspectorate’s role in improving literacy and numeracy in schools and its development of self-evaluation materials for schools on these issues. [20529/14]
View answerIn accordance with the measures outlined in the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, the Inspectorate supports the improvement of literacy and numeracy in schools as part of its evaluation and advisory role within the educational system. School inspections include evaluation of the quality of learning in literacy and numeracy. Evaluation reports identify good educational practice in relation to literacy and numeracy development and provide advice to teachers and schools as to how the quality of provision for these skills can be improved.
The Inspectorate also supports schools in the development of their school self-evaluation (SSE) processes in relation to literacy and numeracy. Since 2012, the Inspectorate has developed Guidelines, tools, materials and a dedicated website to support SSE. During 2012/13, it facilitated whole-staff advisory SSE visits to 3029 primary and 666 post-primary schools. In its advisory capacity, the Inspectorate works with the national support services on the design and content of professional development supports that are delivered to schools and teachers in relation to literacy and numeracy. It also contributes to the development of new specifications for English, Maths and Irish at primary and post-primary level.
