Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2016
194. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to review the DEIS scheme; if existing schools in the scheme will be examined in any future review; the timeframe envisaged for such a review; if schools will be consulted regarding this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28580/16]
View answerA process to review DEIS-the Action Plan for Educational Inclusion which began last year is nearing completion and it my intention to publish a new Action Plan before the end of this year.
The review is looking at all aspects of DEIS, including the range and impact of different elements of the School Support Programme, particularly the scope for increased integration of services provided by other Departments and Agencies, in order to improve effectiveness. As I have already announced, among the measures to be included in the plan are a series of pilot schemes aimed at introducing measures which have been shown to work well in improving results for disadvantaged children and students. The plan is expected to include targeted measures in the areas of:
Supporting school leadership. We are lucky in Ireland to have exceptionally strong school principals in disadvantaged schools – even small improvements in supports for and retention and performance of school leaders in these schools can have a dramatic impact on outcomes;
Networks and clusters for DEIS teachers and schools – including greater supported self-evaluation. Stronger networks of peer groups for teachers can help develop new methods and improve outcomes;
Teaching methodologies. There is evidence that, for example, changing the way literacy is taught to children who struggle can achieve major improvements in results;
Explore ways in which the work of schools could be better integrated with other State supports within the community; and
In consultation with Minister Zappone, greater use of Home School Community Liaison, which has been shown to work well.
The results of pilot programmes will be carefully monitored before any decisions around mainstreaming are considered.
Also under consideration is the development of a new assessment framework using centrally held CSO and DES data for the identification of schools for inclusion in a new programme to tackle educational disadvantage. The number of schools to be included in the programme will be determined by this proposed new identification process which will assess all schools in the country, including those not currently participating in DEIS.
The Review process has included extensive stakeholder consultation, in particular engagement with relevant education partners.
It is envisaged that actions arising from a new Action Plan for Educational Inclusion plan will be implemented in the 2017 /2018 school year.
