Evaluation of the Transition Study Pilot

Description

A project arising from one of the actions of the Strategy was announced by Minister Foley and Minister Madigan on the 10th November 2022, a pilot programme to support the transition for young people with disabilities to improve access to, and opportunities for, post-school options. The aim of the project is to identify skills gaps and supports that students require for a positive transition after school to enable schools to differentiate a transition plan that will target the specific key skills required. The resources assigned are to be used to identify and support specifically those with the greatest level of need to improve the transition opportunities into post-school life. The young person’s post-school choices may include decisions on accessing day services, accepting a placement in apprenticeships, further education, higher education, employment and other personal life choices they may wish to plan for. The focus of this work is on the needs of the young people in the selected schools and falls under two core themes: • Skills for Post-School Life • Making Informed Decisions The DE have requested the NCSE to commission an external evaluation of this pilot programme. The evaluation should set out the transition experience from the perspective of school leavers with disabilities or complex educational needs participating in the pilot, and determine the impact the pilot is having on students and schools, incorporating feedback from a range of stakeholders. The evaluation will also seek to review the wider impact of the programme on families and the community. The evaluation should highlight outline good practices adopted in schools as well as areas that require improvement. The evaluation should make recommendations as to the potential to scale the programme to national level. The evaluation findings are anticipated to guide the development of a framework for future support for transition of students to post-school options at a national level.