Research Papers 2013

Synopsis: Here you will find a list of Committee for Education research papers published during 2013.

Approaches to school inspection

- Date: 09/10/2013 - Author: Caroline Perry

This paper outlines the approach to inspection in place in NI and in a number of jurisdictions internationally. It also considers the governance arrangements for school inspection, including powers, legal frameworks, transparency and inspector qualifications and evaluation.

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Assessing value added in school inspection and supporting improvement

- Date: 09/10/2013 - Author: Caroline Perry

This paper considers the factors in schools that can influence student outcomes, and potential approaches to measuring the value schools add. It also examines processes for reviewing school performance and supporting improvement within schools.

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GCSE and A level reform

- Date: 18/09/2013 - Author: Caroline Perry

This paper considers the shared qualification arrangements across England, Wales and Northern Ireland and discusses current practice and plans for the reform of qualifications in these jurisdictions, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. It also explores approaches to maintaining standards at Key Stage 4; considers higher education destinations; and discusses a number of issues in regard to qualification reform.

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Measuring deprivation in education, Universal Credit and free school meals

- Date: 19/06/2013 - Author: Caroline Perry

This research paper explores approaches to measuring deprivation in other jurisdictions, and considers the potential implications of the planned introduction of Universal Credit for free school meals.

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Prompt payments: Education

- Date: 01/05/2013 - Author: Caroline Perry

This paper highlights a number of issues around the prompt payment of invoices across some of the Department’s arm’s length bodies.

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Early years provision

- Date: 01/05/2013 - Author: Caroline Perry

This research paper considers early years provision in Northern Ireland and internationally. It discusses the integration of education and care and briefly considers issues around the school starting age. It also considers Learning to Learn, the draft early years framework, identifying areas of potential overlap with OFMdFM’s Towards a Childcare Strategy.

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School Uniform Policy in Scotland, England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland

- Date: 10/04/2013 - Author: Laura McCourt

This briefing paper provides an overview of school uniform policy in Scotland, England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, including background information on school uniform policy in Northern Ireland.

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Acorn

- Date: 10/04/2013 - Author: Research and Information Service

This briefing paper provides information on the area-based classification systems Acorn and Mosaic, and discusses some recent findings on the use of FSME as a measure for deprivation.

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The Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010

- Date: 05/03/2013 - Author: Caroline Perry

This paper sets out the process for school closures in Northern Ireland and Scotland; considers the other provisions of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act; and discusses its implementation.

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Northern Ireland and international educational studies

- Date: 21/02/2013 - Author: Caroline Perry

Northern Ireland has participated in a number of international educational studies in recent years that aim to allow for international benchmarking on students’ performance. This paper considers the findings of recent studies, discusses the common attributes of high performing countries and limitations of such studies.

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