Paula Lehane

@paulalehane.bsky.social

Assistant Professor in Inclusive and Special Education at Dublin City University's Institute of Education.

The LAI is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and is looking for photos, conference/symposia materials, or other mementos from the past 50 years of the RAI/LAI. Do you have something to share? Or know someone who might? Contact conference@literacyireland.com! #edchatie

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📢 New publication (from last month, yes, but still!) A scoping review of research on assessment in Ireland’s Leaving Certificate (1999–2024)! 📚 With the LC's centenary approaching, now is the perfect time to take stock of the empirical research on LC assessment. 🧵👇1/11

Picture of the paper's abstract which reads:

Post-primary students in Ireland are awarded the Leaving Certificate after passing the required assessments that occur inthe final year of senior-cycle education. While planned changeshave introduced incremental adjustments as to how assessment in this state-certified qualification is undertaken, recent unplanned events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have accelerated discussions on future assessment reforms. As we arrive at the centenary of the Leaving Certificate’s foundation, it seems timelyto review the empirical research that has been conducted on the assessment approaches that it currently uses. Taking the publication of the Commission on the Points System in 1999 as a starting point and using Arksey and O’Malley’s. (2005) six-step approach for scoping reviews, 107 publications up to 2024 were included in this study. Analysis and synthesis of the studies resulted in five broad research topics: Curriculum Development and Assessment Reform, Maths and Science Education, Fairness, Transition to Higher Education, and Emergency Measures. The results of this study highlight past researchand policy priorities as well as gaps within the existing literature. Itis hoped that the freely available database arising from this study will help to inform future research and policy agendas pertaining to Leaving Certificate assessment.

The abstract's title is: Back to the future? Reflections from 25 years of empirical research on Leaving Certificate assessment in Ireland.

It was written by Paula Lehane, Gillian O'Connor and Michael O'Leary

Great evening at DCU @danwuori.bsky.social. The panel discussion reinforced the need for a shift in how ECEC is viewed within the Irish education system, calling for education for children under 5 to be valued just as much as for those over 5—along with the professional recognition of educators 👏🏼

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It was such a privilege to hear Prof. Ainscow (the first name on any reference list from my master's research!) and the panel discuss the past, present and future of inclusive education. I can't wait to see how the centre will grow and make a meaningful impact on Irish education. 🎒🎓🌟

DCU_Centre for Inclusive Pedagogy@inclusivepedagogy.bsky.social · 2y ago

Thank you to all who attended the DCU Centre for Inclusive Pedagogy launch, especially to Prof Mel Ainscow for an inspiring keynote, Centre Director Dr Joe Travers, guest panellists @dervalmcd.bsky.social CEO Inclusion Ireland & Dr Lisa Ward @dcuioe.bsky.social @dublincityuni.bsky.social

Dr Joe Travers, Prof Mel Ainscow, Dr Aoife Brennan, Prof Daire Keogh standing alongside a banner for the DCU Centre for Inclusive Pedagogy

Monday night: #edchatie Session 2 in the re-boot of discussions for everyone involved in Irish education. 8.30-9.30pm (preferred time from the survey). Professional development for teachers in Ireland: opportunities & problems? Nothing needed other than a Bluesky account! Pls repost & join in

Blue sky with clouds, and hashtag edchatie in the middle.

A class action lawsuit is being taken against Heinemann for not including enough phonics in certain well-known literacy programmes. This article has my head spinning. Trying to think of what an Irish equivalent would look like... (1/3) #edchatie www.apmreports.org/story/2024/1...

Lawsuit calls reading curriculum 'deceptive' and 'defective'

A class-action lawsuit filed in Massachusetts claims that the educational publishing company Heinemann falsely advertised its products as “research-backed” and “data-based.”

apmreports.org

Vote tomorrow, and then come on Monday evening to the first-ever #edchatie on Bluesky to say what you want in education from the new government. Tune in at 7.30pm on Mon 2nd December. Pass the word, and let others know this is a good reason for joining Bluesky...

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Delighted to be at the launch of DCU’s Centre for Literacy Research, Policy and Practice today! Eithne Kennedy’s whistlestop tour of Irish literacy research was so insightful—her focus on what we don’t know really highlights why this centre is so vital. Watch this space! 📚✨ @dcuioe.bsky.social

Picture from the launch of DCU’s Centre for Literacy Research Policy and Practice. The picture includes the centre’s director (Dr Eithne Kennedy) as well as others involved in national and European literacy research.

My latest @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social piece critically examines the shortcomings of education manifestos. It highlights how they often serve as voter-appealing tools rather than blueprints for systemic change and meaningful reform @dcuioe.bsky.social Link below 👇 www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...

Why election manifestos miss the mark on real education reform

Election pledges and promises look good on paper, but often lack the depth needed to address complex, systemic issues in our schools

rte.ie