1. Network of School Planners 12 April 2008

2. DEIS -why a New Action Plan? Educational under-achievement and early school-leaving are still major concerns Key concerns: Identification of disadvantage Literacy and Numeracy Measuring progress and outcomes Integration of services Professional Development

3. Main elements of the Action Plan Better identification of disadvantage in schools New integrated School Support Programme Phased implementation over five years Additional annual investment of around €40m

4. Key Actions – Post Primary Targeted extension of library project at second- level - 40 more schools to benefit in phases A new family literacy project Guidance counselling: additional provision for targeted second-level schools Enhanced Home/School/Community Liaison and School Completion Programme services

5. Key Actions - 2 Supporting recruitment/retention of school staff by: Enhancing professional development Implementing a new scheme of sabbatical leave Access to Junior Certificate School Programme (JCSP) and Leaving Cert Applied for DEIS second-level schools Access to School Meals Programme

6. Key Actions - 3 Better planning, target-setting, and measurement of progress and outcomes on tracking progress in a range of areas Better integration of services and partnership working at both national and local level Enhanced research and evaluation End

7. The Planning Process Will be locally-based at two levels: individual school level school cluster/community level

8. Planning at individual school level A tailored planning template is being developed Implementation will be on a phased basis, Schools are asked to develop their own three-year action plans on the basis of the school’s current situation, The plans will involve both self-evaluation by the school and the input of the Department’s Inspectorate. Plans should include locally developed targets under key indicators.

9. Drafting the Three-Year Plan Agree Priorities Establish Baseline Data Agree Targets Decide Actions Monitor Arrangements Evaluation

10. Some Priorities in the Plans Some of the areas prioritised by DES for attention in schools’ DEIS Three-Year Plans are: Pupil attendance Pupil retention Literacy/Numeracy progression/attainment Educational progress/examination attainment Parent and community partnership