Vol. 557 No. 3
34 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to proceed with the introduction to all schools of the system of whole school evaluation as a system of school inspection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21695/02]
Following the recommendations of the 1998-99 pilot project report on whole school evaluation, WSE, further consultations were held with the education partners. As a result, a process of review was initiated by the inspectorate of my Department in preparation for the introduction of WSE to all first and second level schools. This review will shortly conclude, paving the way for the final determination of the WSE model.
It is my intention that WSE will be introduced to all schools on a phased basis, beginning in 2003, and will complement existing inspection and evaluation systems. My inspectorate has accelerated its programme of review of all aspects of the WSE process in preparation for the introductory phase. It is intended that, once introduced, there will be ongoing developmental review of the operation of WSE as it is experienced from various participant perspectives, thus allowing adjustments to aspects of the model that may require modification.
