Dan Neville
Ceist:144 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science the changes, if any, he proposes in the whole school evaluation; and when he will extend the process to all schools. [3147/00]
Written Answers. - Whole School Evaluation.
The implementation of whole school evaluation in all national and second level schools is currently the subject of discussions with the education partners. All aspects of the proposed WSE model will be outlined in a circular from my Department which will issue in due course to all schools and management authorities. The circular is presently being drafted and the views of the education partners including suggested amendments to the circular, will be sought prior to its publication. Transparency and partnership have permeated the development of WSE from the outset.
The WSE circular being drafted will take cognisance of submissions, both oral and written, made by the various education partners since the WSE pilot project – 1998-99. A series of bi-lateral meetings between the inspectorate in my Department and the education partners in October-November 1999 has facilitated the development of the model. In addition to the three key areas of school life which were evaluated in the WSE pilot project, namely, the quality of learning and teaching, the quality of school planning, the quality of school management, two additional areas will be included. These are: (1) the quality of curriculum provision and (2) the quality of support for students and school ethos. There will also be an enhanced role for both parents and students in the whole school evaluation process.