Valuing education in motion

1
Valuing education in motion

• Naoimh OConnor,
• EOP unit, National College Ireland,
• Literature review contribution by Sinead Ahern,
  University College Dublin

2

• Education is one of the most lethal instruments
  that can be used to destroy the identity, culture
  and traditions of a minority community
• (cited in Kenny, 1998, p.109)

3
Valuing education in motion

• Action Research
• Constructivist
• Evaluating programme designed to facilitate
  transfer Traveller boys from primary to secondary

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Traveller education

• Minority Travellers over 12years in full-time
  education. Mostly girls, settled Travellers
• (Green Paper on Education, 1992)
• Gyspy Traveller pupils most at risk in education
  system (Swann Report, 1985)

5
Education for Travellers

• Irrelevant? (Kenny, 1997 Andereck Donaher,
  1991)
• Threat to Romani lifestyle?
• (Hancock, 2000)
• Contradicts entrepeneurial lifestyle? (McCarthy
  and McCarthy, 1999)

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Travellers - not a homogenous group (Bhopal, 2004)

• Resistance to formal education related to
• past experience
• Impact of racism (e.g. passing)
• Conflicting values (e.g. OBriain, 1988)
• Alternative life paths?
• (Derrington and Kendell, 2004)

7
Action Research

• Gathering information to improve practice and
  gain knowledge
• (Greenwood and Levin, 1998)
• Reflection, observation, planning and action
  spiral
• (OHanlon and Holmes, 2004)

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Participants and Procedure

• Groups Parents, Educators, Womens group
• Individuals Parents, site members, boys
• Focus sessions, Likert interviews, Case studies

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Results

• Education is a priority (X 87)
• Integration is an effective way to educate
  children (X 92)
• High correlation (N8Srho.83plt.001)
• Education, not part of life but a way of life
  (womens group participant)

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AR useful because

• Group
• Relevant
• Free and structured
• Recognises heterogeneity
• Promotes integration
• FutureIntegrative Community Mentoring Programme?

11

• Although I want to have a good career I know
  that some day I will be travelling with my horses
  through a shady black road ready to stay in a
  flower-laden meadow
• (Tammy, 14yr old Traveller, pxi, Derrington
  Kendfall, 2004)