Vol. 502 No. 3
38 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the objective tests comparing the performance of pupils who participated in Early Start with those who did not participate by the time they reached junior infant class; the proposals, if any, he has to modify the Early Start programme in view of these findings; and if alternative pre-school programmes operated in the community or under health boards have different approaches or different outcomes. [8164/99]
Three assessment instruments were used in the recent evaluation of Early Start children which compared the attainment of children in junior infants with that of children who had not been in Early Start. Early screening profiles designed for use with children aged between two and seven were used to assess cognitive and motor development. Subscales of the test were used to assess verbal concepts, visual discrimination, logical relations, basic school skills – in particular, receptive and expressive language abilities – gross motor development and fine motor development.
The Drumcondra primary reading test – level 2, form A – was used to assess pupils' achievements in word analysis, reading vocabulary and reading comprehension. The Drumcondra mathematics test – level 1, form B – was used to assess pupils' achievements in computation, mathematical concepts and problem solving, involving number and measurement. There were no significant differences between the cognitive attainment of the experimental and control groups in the tests.
Longitudinal literacy and numeracy tests on the first cohort of Early Start pupils in second class were carried out in November-December 1998 and tests on the second cohort will be carried out in November-December 1999. Reports on these tests will provide comparisons with the attainment of the children's peers in second class who did not participate in Early Start. They will also provide comparisons with the attainment levels of pupils who were in second class in the project schools at the start of the scheme in 1994. These reports will be available in May 1999 and May 2000, respectively.
The process of incareer development for the teachers and child care workers in Early Start is ongoing and is under continuing review in light of developments in the project. A core group of Early Start personnel engaged in innovative professional development during the 1997-98 school year. Through their work with the trainers, a draft working document that identifies structured play activities and the holistic development of the children, including cognitive development, was prepared. This work is being disseminated to a further group of Early Start personnel in the current school year.
A number of pre-school programmes are in operation in areas of disadvantage. A variety of local and community interests are involved in these and the approaches used vary considerably. They are funded through voluntary contributions with assistance usually from health boards and local authorities. They are supervised by these bodies, not by the Department of Education and Science. There is no information available on an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of these services.
A White Paper on early childhood education is being prepared by my Department. This will take into account the report of the Forum on Early Childhood Education and the evaluation report on Early Start. Changes in early childhood education provision will be considered when the White Paper is published and considered by all the partners involved.
The Minister stated that following publication of the White Paper changes will be considered. Does he agree assessment of other pre-school programmes should start immediately? Given that there were no significant differences between the attainment of those who participated in the Early Start programme and those who did not, does the Minister agree the programme should be re-examined with a view to introducing those elements of other programmes which have been successful?
I caution against jumping to rapid conclusions on what is a pilot scheme. Further tests have to be carried out on second class pupils participating in the Early Start programme. Further comparisons can then be made between pupils who are participating in the programme and those who are not. While there were no significant differences between the cognitive attainment of the experimental and control groups in the tests, I have an open mind. We have to await the results of all the comparative tests and analysis. These will inform future practice. We cannot unilaterally impose edicts on those providing early education and child care services outside the Department. There is a clear need, however, for co-ordination. That is the purpose of the White Paper on early childhood education. A Cabinet subcommittee was established under Partnership 2000 to examine the recommendations of the child care strategy group and to develop a co-ordinated approach to early childhood education provision.
The Minister mentioned that the White Paper will take into account the report of the Forum on Early Childhood Education and the evaluation report on the Early Start programme. There are, however, vast numbers of children who do not have access to pre-school services. The problem is that nobody in Government is taking responsibility for pre-school education. Responsibility is passed from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the Department of Health and Children and, in turn, to the Department of Education and Science. Why is there so much secrecy surrounding the evaluation report on the Early Start programme? To secure a copy I submitted a request under the Freedom of Information Act, but this was refused. Will the Minister allow us read the report and contribute to the debate? Who is included in the other cohorts? Do the pupils who are not participating in the Early Start programme have pre-school experience and what is their socio-economic background?
I will make the evaluation report on the Early Start programme available to the Deputy.
I thank the Minister.
It is an independent evaluation.
Who is included in the other cohorts?
We should be wary about jumping to rapid judgments. All the information has to be examined.
The Minister should place the report in the Oireachtas Library.
Who is responsible for pre-school education?
I am the first Minister for Education and Science to bring everybody involved in early education together under the one umbrella, the Forum on Early Childhood Education. There is a need for co-ordination. The Cabinet subcommittee, which is chaired by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is working with all the Departments involved in early childhood education provision.
Services are needed.
Resources will continue to be provided.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
