Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 October 2016
81. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the development of a new assessment framework for the identification of schools for inclusion in DEIS will be completed; the funding that has been allocated for developing this new assessment database to date; and the amount he anticipates will be required overall. [32442/16]
View answerA process to review DEIS- Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools which began last year is nearing completion and it is my intention to publish a new Plan for Educational Inclusion before the end of this year.
The review is looking at all aspects of the DEIS programme, including the development of a new assessment process for the identification of schools. This work is being undertaken by the DEIS Review Technical Group and is being carried out within the existing resources allocated to my Department.
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 area of:
- School leadership
- School networks and clusters
- Teaching methodologies
- Integration of schools and other State supports within communities
- Greater use of Home School Community Liaison services
Implementation of actions arising from the Plan for Educational Inclusion will begin in the 2017/18 school year, and will be a continuing theme in our wider Annual Action Plan for Education.
Further details on the Review process can be found at: http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/.
