Summary of the OECD Review of Resourcing Schools to Address Educational Disadvantage in Ireland
The OECD Review of Resourcing Schools to Address Educational Disadvantage in Ireland, part of the OECD's broader Education for Inclusive Societies project, aims to enhance support for students at risk of educational disadvantage across both DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) and non-DEIS schools. This review was conducted in response to the 2022 OECD Ministerial Declaration on "Building Equitable Societies Through Education" and was led by an international team comprising Lucie Cerna, Luka Boeskens, Cecilia Mezzanotte, Samo Varsik, and Ides Nicaise.
Key aspects covered in the review include:
- Governance: The role of leadership and decision-making processes in supporting educational equity.
- Resourcing: Allocation of resources, funding, and investment strategies aimed at addressing educational disparities.
- Capacity Building: Development of skills, knowledge, and resources among educators and policymakers.
- School-Level Interventions: Strategies implemented within schools to support disadvantaged students.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Methods for assessing the effectiveness of interventions and policies.
The review focuses on two key student groups: those at risk of educational disadvantage and students from Traveller and Roma communities. Data analyzed primarily pertains to the 2022/23 school year, with some older data also referenced. Collaboration with various units within the Department of Education, as well as other government departments, facilitated the review process. Contributions came from multiple officials, including those from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science, and the Department of Social Protection, among others.
The report offers insights and advice tailored for Irish education authorities, serves as a comparative tool for other countries interested in understanding the Irish approach to equitable education, and contributes to broader analyses within the OECD's Education for Inclusive Societies project.
Partnerships with the European Commission and the Erasmus+ program partially covered participation costs, aligning with the Education Council's "Learning Lab on Investing in Quality Education and Training." The EC contributed to the planning process, provided feedback, and offered comments on draft reports.
