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<< Back to previous page 14/12/11Evidence Offers Clear Lessons for Irish Second-Level EducationThe ESRI has published a comprehensive review of international and domestic evidence on how the quality of second-level education can be improved, despite the funding challenges Ireland currently faces. The review, which drew upon almost 100 studies worldwide as well as available Irish evidence, concludes that there are three clear lessons for improving the quality of second-level schooling.
First, the evidence shows that rigid grouping of students by ability, or “streaming”, harms overall educational outcomes. This happens because students assigned to lower ability classes tend to do much worse under streaming, while those assigned to higher ability classes do not make corresponding gains. So average student performance falls. Second, day-to-day interaction between teachers and students has a crucial effect on student outcomes. By holding high expectations for all students and encouraging positive behaviour, schools can improve academic performance, reduce early school-leaving and avoid cycles of misbehaviour and disengagement from education. Third, the international evidence shows that teaching methods matter. Although no single superior method has been identified, better results are obtained by more student-centred “active” approaches, where students are engaged through interaction and discussion, rather than passively listening to instruction. Recent reforms to the junior cycle promise greater emphasis on such active methods in Ireland. The ESRI researchers stress that to take advantage of these three findings requires that policymakers treat initial teacher education and continuous professional development for teachers as a priority. Commenting on the findings, Dr Emer Smyth said "In the current climate, it is important that schools know they can make a crucial difference to the educational development of their students, by moving away from rigid ability grouping, by promoting a positive school climate and by making the classroom an engaging place for young people." For further information please contact:
Dr Emer Smyth (Research Professor, ESRI) on 01 8632058, emer.smyth@esri.ie;
Dr Selina McCoy (Senior Research Officer, ESRI) on 01 8632059, Selina.mccoy@esri.ie.
Note to Editors: (1) "Improving Second-Level Education: Using Evidence for Policy Development" by Dr. Emer Smyth and Dr. Selina McCoy is the 5th paper in a special series of ESRI studies that aims to survey available evidence to address issues related to Ireland's ongoing economic crisis. It will be published online on the ESRI website at 00:01 a.m. Wednesday 14 December. The embargo is until 00:01 a.m. Wednesday 14 December. A copy of this paper is available under embargo on request.
(2) A total of 12 studies are being undertaken as part of this “Renewal” project, which is supported by FBD Trust.
(3) The paper will be presented at a conference on improving public services to be held at the ESRI on the morning of Wednesday 14 December, which will also feature papers on the potential role of pay for performance in health services and how members of the public perceive the quality of Irish public services. Further information on the Conference is available on our website.
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The Economic and Social Research Institute, Whitaker Square, Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2. Telephone: +353 1 8632000; Fax +353 1 8632100; email: admin@esri.ie ; web site: www.esri.ie . The ESRI is an independent research institute governed by a Council. The ESRI does not as an Institute take policy positions and the views expressed in ESRI publications are those of the authors. All ESRI reports are peer-reviewed prior to publication << Back to previous page |
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