The Leaving School in Ireland programme of research is being led by Selina McCoy and Emer Smyth. The first study to be conducted under this programme of research will involve a major project on the post-school experiences of the cohort of young people who took part in the Post-Primary Longitudinal Study (PPLS). These young people, who were first contacted on entry to second-level education in 2002, left school in either 2007 or 2008 (depending on whether they took the Transition Year Programme).
The study commenced in Sept 2009 and the research has two main components.
- A survey of this cohort of young people in Autumn/Winter 2009, collecting information on their participation in education and training and their labour market experiences.
- In-depth interviews with 40-50 of these young people in Spring/Summer 2010. This will allow us to explore in much greater detail the influences on young people’s post-school choices and pathways.
The study, unique in the Irish context, will allow us to address a range of central policy questions, including:
- How do young people make decisions about post-school options? What role do their school experiences play in their choices?
- Are qualifications the only thing that matters? Or do literacy skills, self-confidence and work experience acquired while at school help in accessing employment?
- Does second-level education prepare young people for post-school education and training, work and adult life?
Work carried out under the auspices of the Leaving School in Ireland Research Programme will be funded by the ESRI and by grants from a number of organisations in the field of education policy. The work will be guided by a Steering Group, made up of representatives from these organisations. The organisations providing grants are:
- The Higher Education Authority
- The Department of Education and Science
- National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
- Higher Education and Training Awards Council
- Further Education and Training Awards Council
- National Council for Special Education
- National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
- National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals
- Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland
- Teachers’ Union of Ireland
The ESRI Project Team is Selina McCoy , Emer Smyth, Joanne Banks and Delma Byrne.
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