News
December, 2011
A big thank you to post primary schools!
We would like to thank all those post primary schools who have responded to our recent electronic and postal surveys. We value your feedback very much. The results so far have been tremendous and will be a great help to us in developing an accurate picture of special educational needs policy in Ireland.
Post primary schools who have not yet responded to our survey can still have the opportunity of doing so, and can complete the survey online at the link below:
November, 2011
Inclusive Education Framework
A new folder of information released by The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) provides advice to schools on developing procedures and systems for ensuring effective support for pupils with SEN.
The contents of the folder, which were in part influenced by the work of Project Iris researchers Eileen Winter and Paul O’Raw are designed to assist schools in a process of self-evaluation and development leading to improved support for learners of diverse needs.
Helpful sections on action planning and implementation of change are supported by proforma and templates to assist schools. The document is well supported by reference lists and exemplars and plots a clear path for schools wishing to undertake developments in this area.
The folder is available from the NCSE - www.ncse.ie
Children with Special Educational Needs: Information book for Parents
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) have recently issued a new information book for parents. This helpful guide provides detailed information relating to the definition of SEN, the types of provision available and the support provided to children and their families.
The booklet also provides a concise route for patents through the SEN assessment process and has further sections on transition between schools, the expectations of teachers and schools and ways in which parents can provide support at home. A useful section titled “where can you get more information about your child’s special educational needs?” lists the leading organisations available to provide support and advice to families.
The booklet is available from the NCSE
www.ncse.ie
June, 2011
The Project Iris Research team has almost completed a series of visits to construct case studies around ten post-primary schools across Ireland. During these visits the team has been made very welcome in schools and have had an opportunity to interview teachers, support staff, parents and students as well as observing lessons and studying school documentation.
Over the next six months an intensive period of analysis of the data collected on these visits alongside the data collected from primary and special schools and a national survey, will help the team to develop a detailed overview of special educational needs provision in Ireland.
June 2011 -- Book Review --
Count me in! Ideas for actively engaging students in inclusive classrooms.
Count Me In! is a practical guide to constructing an inclusive teaching environment in both primary and secondary education, and develops the argument that inclusive practices benefit all learners. The authors explore the themes of the teacher–learner relationship, creating independent learners, identifying and confronting barriers to learning, planning for progress and participation, and encouraging active student participation within the learning process. Each of these themes is illustrated through the use of case studies and excerpts from in-depth interviews. The main perspectives are educational disadvantage and attainment, and how experiences of school failure might be perpetuated long after transition into adulthood, resulting in a continuum of dysfunction.
Rose, R., & Shevlin, M. (2010). Count me in! Ideas for actively engaging students in inclusive classrooms. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
To read the full review Click HERE
To buy (Amazon external link) Click HERE
November 2010
Research Seminar
The National Council for Special Education Research Seminar 2010 took place on Wednesday 24th November 2010 at Croke Park Conference Centre, Dublin.
The seminar featured presentations on key research reports commissioned by NCSE and which have been completed recently. The seminar also featured an address from Professor Richard Rose, University of Northampton, on the value and limitations of research. Professor Rose is the lead consultant on Project IRIS. Details of the presentation and other reports are available at www.ncse.ie.
Research and Special Educational Needs: Setting an Agenda for Future Development.
Professor Richard Rose, University of Northampton.
September 2010
The British Educational Research Association Conference, University of Warwick,
The Annual British Educational Research Association (BERA) conference is attended by researchers from all over the UK and wider afield.
At the Warwick Conference Project IRIS was represented by Richard Rose who presented a paper which discussed the use of focus group approaches for the collection of qualitative data related to inclusion.
Drawing upon methods developed by the Project IRIS research team, Richard outlined some of the challenges and opportunities to be derived from the application of focus group techniques and illustrated these with reference to data collection during phase one of the project.
More details are available here.
12 August, 2010
Project IRIS team at international conference in Belfast, Ireland: Very positive response from delegates at ISEC 2010 to the round table session hosted by the Project IRIS team.
Members of the Project IRIS research team presented preliminary results from the project at the International Supportive Education Congress (ISEC) at Queens University Belfast (2nd - 5th August, 2010). The presentation included findings from the first phases of the project and afforded an opportunity to discuss the work with colleagues from around the globe. Interest in special education in Ireland is considerable and the project team were pleased to address questions from a diverse audience.
More details are available here.
22 July, 2010
Thank you to primary and special schools!: The Project IRIS team would like to thank all those schools who took part in our recent field research.
Members of the Project Iris Research Team have recently completed visits to 10 primary and 2 special schools in locations across Ireland. These visits have been used to collect data to inform the construction of case studies showing examples of practice in supporting pupils with special educational needs. During the visits the team members enjoyed time in classrooms to conduct observations, interview pupils, parents, teachers and other colleagues and explore school documentation and displays related to supporting pupils. The team would like to thank all schools and colleagues who willingly participated in this project. The contributions made by these schools are extremely valuable as we gain insights into special educational needs provision in Ireland.
28 May, 2010
Latest NCSE newsletter: Project IRIS featured in the latest edition of the NCSE's newsletter.
Project IRIS is featured in the May issue of the National Council for Special Education's newsletter 'NCSE News'. The article gives a brief overview of the project before focusing on the current phase of field research, which examines inclusive practices within primary and special schools.
Other articles of interest include a feature on the NCSE research conference, and an overview of the Report on the Review of SNA Allocations to Schools (April 2009 - March 2010).
The May issue of 'NCSE News' is available online for viewing or download through the NCSE website here. Previous issues are also available online here.
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