National Experts on the Education of Migrants OECD, Paris Breda Naughton Department of Education and Science 13/14 October 2008

Context Education Act National Action Plan Against Racism EU Green Paper on Migrant Education 2008 Current Research Development of an Intercultural Education Strategy

Integration Structures Minister for State for Integration –July 2007 Office of Minister for Integration –Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion, Children and Integration –Cross – Departmental Steering Committee –Ministerial Council on Integration

Structures and Strategies Integration Unit in DES – Oct 2007 –To co-ordinate, liaise and engage with internal and external education and other stakeholders Migration Nation 2008 –Statement on Integration Strategy and Diversity Management

Current Research, Evaluation and Reports Economic and Social Research Institute – Managing Diversity in Primary and Post-Primary Schools – (end 2008) Inspectorate’s thematic evaluation of provision for students studying English as an additional language – (autumn 2009) OECD Thematic Review (autumn 2009) VFM Review on expenditure on migrant students in primary and post-primary education ( autumn 2009) Language Education Policy Profile for Ireland –Council of Europe and DES (Feb. 2008) Youth Sector – Report and Recommendations for an Intercultural Strategy ( spring 2008) Horwath Report – English for Adult Immigrants (autumn 2008)

Migrant Student Profile 10% primary students 7% of post-primary students 13,000 in FE English Language 10% of higher education students PPPD – nationalities –UK –Poland –Nigeria –Lithuania –USA –Spain –Germany –Philippines –Latvia –South Africa

Resources for Primary and Post Primary schools 2,000 English Language support teachers in 2007/08 at a cost of €120m, up from 262 in 2001/2002 Continuous Professional Development for teachers Resource materials – north/south co-operation etc Non- curricular languages in LC for EU migrants Opportunities for family literacy/ language learning in schools in partnership with Further Education section of local Vocational Education Committees

Newcomer Students – Primary and Post-Primary profile (Partners and ESRI) –Very recent phenomenon –Majority of post-primary schools have newcomers –Significant group of primary schools have none ( 40%) –English language needs vary and it does impact –Some migrants may have little or no previous education –Most are highly motivated, high aspirations, good behaviour and regular attendance –Many are high achievers – raise standards –Some are transitory – between schools, between countries, arrive at any time of year – capitation issues –Key concerns – academic progress (attainment), social interaction and involvement in extra-curricular activities –Sustained academic difficulties only for a few

Immigrant Parents Involvement of immigrant parents –own English language needs - 13,000 places, €10m –have high levels of education, recognition of qualifications ( ) –have high expectations for children –may not understand the education system, data about schools in 6 languages – Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, German and Spanish as well as in English and Irish –need to engage in school life

Issues Integration/ inclusion integral part of school planning Appropriate teaching methodologies, role of English Language Support Teacher and mainstream class teacher Training Absenteeism – role of National Educational Welfare Board – data in 18 languages Cultural differences/ behavioural norms/ cultural mediation Not sufficient resources available – particularly for teenagers

Other Issues (VoS) Translation and interpretation Psychological assessments School rules are for all Guidance – particular needs of international students After school services – e.g. Polish schools at weekends Bullying Mother tongue ( Co of Europe and EU Green Paper)

Key to success – ESRI research A positive school climate promotes academic and social development among newcomer and Irish students alike – become more integrated, inclusive and intercultural Schools do not operate in a vacuum – importance of broader social relations

High profile topics Hijab Patron models – predominantly denominational in nature at primary level Segregated v. integrated provision Movement of children of local residents to other schools

Possible Principles – Intercultural Education Strategy Mainstreaming of all newcomer students – two way process of inclusion Knowledge of English ( and Irish) for all residents Rights and responsibilities High aspirations and high expectations Partnership and engagement

Possible Actions Leadership Research Awareness raising

Towards an Intercultural Education Strategy Conference 1 st October –outlined current research –formally opened debate on development of an Intercultural Education Strategy Written submissions by end of October Focus groups (Nov./ Dec 2008) to consult stakeholders and to gain their input on –Intercultural Education Strategy –OECD Thematic Review –EU Green Paper on Migrant Education Intercultural Education Strategy – Autumn 2009