School Development Planning Initiative School Self Evaluation: Evidence of Making A Difference – DEIS Planning Regional Seminar 2008

Programme DEIS Planning – What is expected Approaches to Self Evaluation Resources

DEIS Planning Planning Target Setting Ongoing Review Results-based planning over a three year cycle: The focus is on outcomes for students rather than inputs by the school – ‘What evidence is there that our interventions are making a difference to students in our schools?’

Success Stories? What counts as evidence of making a difference?

The areas prioritised by DES for attention in schools: Retention Attendance Literacy Numeracy Examination attainment Educational progression Partnership with parents Partnership with others – schools, community, external agencies

Planning Process Briefing re DEIS Establish planning structures Review and research oBaseline data oInfluencing Factors oMeasures already in place Target setting and action planning Summary of DEIS plan Monitoring and evaluation

Managing the planning 1 Structures for planning? Personnel? Planning Teams? Time? Calendar? Training & Supports? Partnerships? Other?

Managing the planning 2 Planning – Key Process Steps: Agree what to do to establish baseline Discuss targets that might be set Discuss actions that might be taken Record meeting and decisions taken

Where are we now? Performance Provision Where do we want to be? Targets How do we get there? Action Plan

Workshop School Self-Evaluation - Attendance Baseline Data Influencing Factors Current Measures Measures to Improve attendance (Refer to SDPI resource materials for DEIS planning)

1.Annual Attendance Report (NEWB) Data submitted to NEWBSchool Year 2006/07School Year 2007/08 1.Total number of days lost through student absence in entire school year* 2.Total number of students who were absent for 20 days or more during school year* 3.Total number of students expelled in respect of whom all appeal processes exhausted or not availed of during school year 4.Total number of students suspended during the school year *If the school’s attendance tracking system allows, it may be helpful to identify separately the total number of days lost through unexplained student absence and the total number of students with a high rate of unexplained absence. 2.Absence Rates School Year 2006/07School Year 2007/08 Total number of ‘student days’ in the school year number of tuition days X total number of students Overall Absence Rate* Total number of days lost through student absence as % of total number of ‘student days’ Overall Chronic Absentee Rate* Total number of students who were absent for 20 days or more as % of total number of students in the school *If the school’s attendance tracking system allows, it may be helpful to identify separately the overall rate of unexplained student absence and the overall proportion of students with a high rate of unexplained absence. Baseline Data on Attendance

Establish the school’s current situation- Performance 1.What level of performance is being achieved in this area? In relation to this aspect, gather the relevant data (a great deal of which is likely to be available already in school records) and analyse it in order to establish the school’s baseline for each area. This baseline will be used by the school in assessing its progress in the area over the period of the plan.

Factors influencing Attendance? Family factors Academic performance Special Education Needs Behaviour ……. etc.

Establish the school’s current situation- Provision 2 What measures are already in place in the school to address this area? Identify the school’s existing measures Identify those that are working well and that should be continued and built upon in the DEIS Three-Year Plan. Identify also any major gaps in current provision. Identify the sources of support - DES support services, education organisations, statutory agencies, voluntary organisations, community groups, etc

Target Setting - SMART S pecific M easurable A chievable R ealistic T imed

Action Planning Who ? What ? When ? How ? Resources required ? (Taking into consideration what is already in place and working well)

Resource List SDPI DEIS planning materials: DEIS Plan explanatory memo Review instruments Notes on target setting Templates - Action Plan and DEIS plan summary JCSP resources for developing a school-wide literacy plan and numeracy plan Home School Community Liaison School Completion Programme DEIS An Action Plan for Educational Inclusion