§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the (i) progress and (ii) evaluation of the raising school standards initiative. [1796]
§ Mr. AncramThe raising schools standards initiative was launched in 1995 with the aim of improving standards in schools with particular problems of educational and social disadvantage.
All schools in the programme are working to approved action plans and receiving the necessary financial and professional support to ensure delivery.
The schools have been inspected during 1995–96 and will be inspected again in 1997–98. The findings will contribute to an evaluation of the approach. In addition, the institute of education, university of London, is undertaking a research project within participating schools which assesses progress using the "value added" approach. This report is expected in December 1998 and will contribute to the final evaluation which will be available in 1999.