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EQI: Centre for Evaluation,Quality & Inspection
DCU Research Partner Schools

Recognition of Schools as a DCU Research Partners

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Recognition of Schools as a DCU Research Partners

At a recent ceremony in the new DCU Institute of Education, St. Patrick’s Campus, Drumcondra, the DCU Centre for Evaluation, Quality and Inspection presented 2017 Research Partner Awards to 9 post-primary schools. Each of these schools participated in a yearlong research project that was coordinated by the DCU Centre for Evaluation, Quality and Inspection and which focused on school self-evaluation. The schools involved in the research project included:

  • St. Vincent's Secondary School         
  • St. Oliver's Community College        
  • Naas CBS
  • Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré         
  • Trinity Comprehensive School
  • Athboy Community School
  • St. Aidan's CBS          
  • Loreto College Crumlin Road 
  • The Donahies Community School

 

The research project involved the testing of a model of support for school self-evaluation in post-primary schools over the 16/17 school year. The model of support involved the provision of a training programme entitled “Let’s Help You to Lead SSE in Your School”. One or more teachers from each school was trained to facilitate the school self-evaluation process in their own school and in this way building the capacity of both the individuals involved and the schools. Each participant also received a course completion certificate in recognition of the expertise that each developed during the programme.

All schools since 2012, are required to engage in school self-evaluation on an annual basis. However, research shows that many schools both in Ireland and internationally find it challenging to find the time to plan and to engage in the process effectively. DCU provided guidelines to schools to address the practicalities of the process and make it much more doable. Participants received training in the organisation and facilitation of the process, tools for gathering and analysing data, the development of self-evaluation reports and school improvement plans. During the project all participating schools applied the learning and all produced high quality self-evaluation reports and school improvement plans.

This project builds on a raft of research projects carried out by the DCU Centre for Evaluation, Quality and Inspection, the leading Irish research centre in this area, which focus on inspection, accountability, evaluation and improvement in schools. The Centre has developed strong working relationships with schools over the years and representatives from the Centre recognised the willingness and innovation of the schools involved in the research project.

The research team from DCU was led by Dr. Shivaun O’Brien and her colleagues Professor Joe O’Hara, Professor Gerry McNamara and Dr. Martin Brown. It is expected that the findings of the research project will be published in a number of highly ranked academic journals over the coming year.

 

For further information, contact: Dr. Shivaun O’Brien: shivaun.obrien@dcu.ie