School patronage issue overstated, says churchman [IrishTimes]
- Published: 11 October 2011
PATRONAGE OF primary schools in Ireland is down the agenda of parents’ actual concerns about their child’s education, a leading Catholic Church representative has said.
Speaking yesterday at the release of research into parental understanding of school patronage by the Catholic Schools Partnership, chairman of the organisation, Fr Michael Drumm, said the issue of patronage should not be overstated.
“We need to be careful about the whole patronage question and that it is not hyped up to such a level that at a national level it becomes the key issue on the agenda,” he said.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
School patronage 'not a priority' for parents [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 11 October 2011
The patronage of primary schools is not a key concern for parents when looking for a place for their child, it has been claimed.
This is according to new research into parental understanding of patronage from the Catholic Schools Partnership (CSP), which found geographical proximity and knowledge of the facility's quality are more pressing concerns.
It also found that patronage is not a term widely known by parents, while many consider the defining elements of the Church's involvement in education to be the ethos of the school and the teaching of religious studies.
Commenting on the results, Fr Michael Drumm, chairman of the CSP, said it is important the issue is not overstated.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Autistic students still without school places [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 10 October 2011
A group of eight autistic pupils who were left without a school after their specialist facility closed have still not found alternative places ten weeks later.
The Irish Independent reports the students, who formerly attended Achieve ABA in Donaghmede, north Dublin, have been forced to rely on home-schooling or private tutors, despite an intervention from Education Minister Ruairi Quinn asking the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to assist the youngsters.
While the NCSE claims it has offered a satisfactory place for each child, parents have accused the body of failing to meet their children's needs.
One girl was referred to an all-boys school, as well as a facility requiring a 400km per week commute that was not suitable for her.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Minister Quinn opens General Assembly of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement [merrionstreet.ie]
- Published: 10 October 2011
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD, today opened the 52nd General Assembly of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) at the Grand Hotel, Malahide, Co Dublin.
The Assembly is being held in conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills and the Educational Research Centre (ERC).
Speaking in Malahide, Minister Quinn said: “Ireland has long been an active member of the IEA, and I am delighted to be here today to acknowledge the excellent work done by the organisation over the years.”
The IEA is an independent, international cooperative of national research institutions and governmental research agencies.
Full Story: www.merrionstreet.ie
Problem behaviour: What to do if your child is experiencing challenges at school [Independent.ie]
- Published: 10 October 2011
BY now it has been a couple of weeks since your child has either returned to school for the new year or perhaps just started in junior infants.
The majority of kids settle into school very easily and effortlessly with no difficulties at all, according to Dr David Carey, a consulting psychologist based in Dublin who is also a special education expert and author of the book The Essential Guide to Special Education in Ireland.
However, a very small percentage – probably less than 3pc – would have problems in school, he explains. In his own practice, the three major issues to do with school that Carey would see on a regular basis include anxiety disorders, challenging behaviour and special education issues.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
