National Experts on the Education of Migrants OECD, Paris

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National Experts on the Education of
MigrantsOECD, Paris

• Breda Naughton
• (breda_naughton_at_education.gov.ie)
• Department of Education and Science
• 13/14 October 2008

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Context

• Education Act 1998 www.education.ie
• National Action Plan Against Racism 2005
  www.diversityireland.ie
• EU Green Paper on Migrant Education 2008
• Current Research
• Development of an Intercultural Education
  Strategy www.nccri.ie

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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

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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 www.diversityireland.ie

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CurrentResearch, Evaluation and Reports

• Economic and Social Research Institute Managing
  Diversity in Primary and Post-Primary Schools
  (end 2008)
• Inspectorates 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)

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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

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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
  www.ppds.ie www.slss.ie
• Resource materials www.NCCA.ie, www.NCCRI.ie,
  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

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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

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Immigrant Parents

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

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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 www.newb.ie
• Cultural differences/ behavioural norms/ cultural
  mediation
• Not sufficient resources available particularly
  for teenagers

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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Possible Actions

• Leadership
• Research
• Awareness raising

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Towards an Intercultural Education Strategy

• Conference 1st 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