Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock
Onwards and Upwards

Quinn says DEIS schools now 'bearing fruit' as exam results improve

Research from the Education and Skills Centre finds exam results since the DEIS school introduction have continually improved.

THE IMPROVEMENT OF exam results in DEIS schools since their introduction has been welcomed today by the Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn.

Research findings by the Education and Skills Centre found that in post-primary level the overall performance on public examinations of students in DEIS schools had improved since the programme began.

The research follows on from their research last year into primary schools where the results were also encouraging, showing that test scores at all grade levels increased significantly between 2007 and follow-up testing in 2010. The results increased again in 2013 testing.

The minister welcomed the positive results stating that it was very “encouraging”.

“Literacy and Numeracy rates in primary schools are improving steadily; second level attainment levels are also improving; and, critically attendance, participation and retention levels are also increasing, ” said Quinn who said that the DEIS schools were now “bearing fruit”.

Data presented at the seminar on retention rates and the progression of pupils from DEIS schools shows that retention rates in recent years in DEIS schools have been significantly higher than the overall improvement nationally.

The Leaving Certificate retention rate for the 2007 entry cohort in DEIS schools is just over 80 per cent, which is around 10 per cent lower than the national average rate.

The minister said that this needs to be built upon, adding that it still must be acknowledged that the exam results are still far below the national average.

Read: University fees ‘should be capped and funding models move towards European norms’>

Read: Audit of PE facilities in schools “crucial” to tackling obesity>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
20
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.