Study finds programme strengthens teaching, leadership, inclusion and student engagement across post-primary education and Further Education settings.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin joined education leaders, teachers and stakeholders to launch the independent Evaluation Report on the Impact of the Instructional Leadership Programme (ILP) in Dublin, earlier this month. The professional learning initiative led by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) has supported post-primary schools and Further Education centres to develop more engaging and inclusive teaching practices that benefit learners across their community.
Inclusive education and engagement
Conducted by researchers from Dublin City University (DCU), the evaluation found that the programme has had a significant and lasting impact on teaching practice, instructional leadership, inclusive education and student engagement.
Attending the launch, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said, “The evidence presented in this evaluation highlights the significant impact that sustained professional learning can have on teacher and school leaders. Through the Instructional Leadership Programme, ETBI has demonstrated how it enhances classroom practice, supports inclusion and improves learner engagement across our education system. This programme is helping to build stronger collaborative educational communities within and across schools, ensuring that learners benefit from high-quality learning experiences. I warmly welcome this report and congratulate ETBI, the many participants from a wide range of schools and centres, and all those involved in the programme’s success”.
Participants in the Programme reported greater confidence in meeting the needs of diverse learners, increased use of active and collaborative teaching methods, and improved student engagement in the classroom.
Joan Russell, ETBI and Programme Coordinator, welcomed the publication, ‘The findings demonstrate the important role that sustained, collaborative professional learning can play in strengthening teaching practice, enhancing leadership capacity and improving student engagement. The evaluation provides valuable evidence of the programme’s contribution to educational improvement and offers important insights for its future development.’’
Professional journey
The independent evaluation, conducted by Dr Barry Morrissey, Dr Aoife Brennan and Dr Alan Gorman of DCU, examined the impact of the programme on participants. A significant finding of the evaluation was the central role of school leadership in embedding and sustaining professional learning. The report identifies the active involvement of Principals and Deputy Principals as a critical factor in translating programme learning into whole-school improvement.
According to Dr Barry Morrissey, Principal Investigator, ‘‘What sets the programme apart is that it is not a one-off course; it is a sustained, two-year journey of teacher professional learning. Teachers are immersed in instructional leadership over that time and are enabled to ground what they learn in school triads that unite senior leaders and classroom teachers. This cross-role structure creates a very powerful ripple effect in terms of implementation.”
James Eustace, Acting General Secretary ETBI commented, “ETBI is proud to lead a programme that empowers educators to create more inclusive, engaging and effective learning environments, and we welcome the valuable insights this report provides for the future development of the programme.”
Building on its origins within the ETB sector, the programme includes participants from ETB, ACCS, Educate Together and JMB schools. The Instructional Leadership Programme has grown to support a diverse range of school leaders and teachers across Irish post-primary education.
