Circular Letter 10/02
National Programme of Training in *Learning Support for Teachers of First and Second Level Pupils *(formerly Remedial Education)
1. In the school year 2002/2003, training in Learning Support will be offered in the following centres:
Church of Ireland College of Education, Rathmines
Department of Education, National University of Ireland, Cork
Department of Education, national University of Ireland, Galway
Mary Immaculate College of Education, Limerick
St Patrick's College of Education, Drumcondra
St Angela's College of Education, Sligo
All of the above Courses are funded by the Department of Education and Science under the National Development Plan.
2. Aim and Content
The aim of the Programme will be to provide substantial theoretical and practical training for teachers who hold posts sanctioned for Learning-Support teachers.
The content of the Courses has been agreed with the Department of Education and Science and will include theoretical and practical inputs on all aspects of provision for Learning Support.
Qualifications will be awarded by the Colleges involved to participants who successfully complete the programmes. Participants will be assessed on the basis of full attendance at the Course venue, completion of a number of written assignments, and supervision of their work as Learning Support teachers in schools. Further details will be made available to applicants by the individual Colleges.
3. Duration and Organisation
The Department of Education and Science funds all of the courses under the National Development Plan. Courses are of one year's duration, with the time divided between attendance at the relevant Course venue and teaching in participants' own schools. There are variations between the participating Colleges in terms of organisation and awards. All of the courses listed below provide recognised qualifications in this area.
(i) Primary:
Permanent teachers who are currently employed in sanctioned Learning-Support posts or who will be taking up such posts in September 2002.
Applications are also invited from qualified teachers who are employed as teachers for traveller children. (Resource Teachers for Travellers).
(ii) Second Level:
Permanent teachers who are assigned to Learning-Support work (with individuals, groups or classes of not more than 16 pupils) for a minimum of 10 hours per week. On an exceptional basis, applications may also be considered from teachers who do not hold permanent positions but who are assigned to Learning Support work (with individuals, groups or classes of not more than 16 pupils) for a minimum of 10 hours per week. At least four class periods should be allocated to teaching individuals or groups of not more than six pupils. Additional time should also be made available for consultation with parents/guardians or colleagues. Class teaching should not involve more than 16 pupils per class. Together with work in numeracy, assigned Learning Support hours must include at least 4 class periods per week of literacy work.
Applications are also invited from qualified teachers who are employed as teachers for traveller children and from designated resource teachers in respect of pupils with disabilities in post-primary schools.
(iii) Other Educational Services
Qualified teachers employed by VECs as literacy and/or numeracy tutors in Youthreach, community projects or in the prison service, and who are assigned to Learning Support work (with individuals, groups or classes of not more than 16 pupils) for a minimum of 10 hours per week. At least four class periods should be allocated to teaching individuals or groups of not more than six pupils. Additional time should also be made available for consultation with parents/guardians or colleagues. Class teaching should involve not more than 16 pupils per class. Together with work in numeracy, assigned Learning Support hours must include at least 4 class periods per week of literacy work.
5. Applications and Selection
School authorities/VECs are invited to nominate not more than ONE teacher per school/educational service, who meets the requirements explained in section 4 above.
It is particularly important that teachers participating in the Programme are given a work load which will permit them to benefit fully from the training being offered. Approximately 25-30 teachers will be accepted on each of these Courses. It is intended that, on those Courses which accept both primary and post-primary teachers, an equal number of places will be allocated to each group but the ratio may be modified in response to demand and local circumstances.
The selection of course participants from the eligible applicants will be a matter for the College authorities.
ANN ROINN OIDEACHAIS AGUS EOLAÍOCHTA
LEARNING SUPPORT IN-CAREER DEVELOPMENT 2002/2003
Application Form - Second Level
To be completed by Teachers in Post-Primary Schools or in other Educational Services, e.g. Interventions, Youthreach, Prison Service etc.
Please return the completed form to the COLLEGE of your choice by the 27th March, 2002
(the correct postal address for the College is attached)
1. Name of Applicant ______
2. Home Address ______
______
Home Phone No. ______Email Address ______
Date of Birth ______
3. School/Ed. Service Name, Roll No. and Address ______
______
Teacher No. ______Sch. Tel. No. ______
Fax No. ______Email ______
4. Qualifications (include details of College/s and Year/s) ______
______
5. Employment Status (please tick as appropriate)
Permanent Wholetime ___ Temporary Wholetime ___ EPT ___ Part-Time __
In the case of teachers not employed as above, please supply the appropriate additional information
______
6. No. of years teaching experience ___ No. of years in present School ___
7. a. Do you current hold a sanctioned Learning-Support Post: (Yes/No): ___
or
b. Will you hold a sanctioned Learning Support Post in the coming School year: (Yes/No): ______
If Yes, please state the following:
A To be completed by the Applicant
I have read the description of the programme of training as set out in the accompanying document and I agree to attend the Course in full and to fulfil the necessary conditions of such participation.
Signed: ______
Date: ______
B To be completed by the School Authorities
1 Has you school been allocated (an) extra teaching post/s for Learning Support?
YES: _____ No: _____ If "YES" how many? ______
If "YES" please specify the date of allocation and how the post/s is/are used.
______
______
______
2 Are there any teachers on your staff who have qualifications in Learning Support?
YES: _____ No: _____ If Yes how many? ______
How many of these are active in providing Learning Support: ______
3 Is there a designated Resource Teacher in your school for pupils with special needs?
Yes: _____ No: _____
If "Yes" please give details: ______
______
______
Addresses of Colleges offering the Learning Support Courses
1.Church of Ireland College of Education Phone: (01) 4970033
96 Upper Rathmines Road Fax: 01) 4971932
Rathmines
Dublin 6 email:
2. Department of Education Phone: (021) 4902465
National University of Ireland Fax: (021) 4270291
Cork email:
3.Department of Education Phone: (091) 750325
National University of Ireland Fax: (091) 750538
Galway email:
4.Mary Immaculate College of Education Phone: (061) 204925
In-Career Department Fax: (061) 313632
South Circular Road
Limerick email:
5. St Patrick's College of Education Phone: (01) 8842031
Special Education Department Fax: (01) 8842294
Drumcondra
Dublin 9 email:
6. St Angela's College of Education Phone: (071) 46510
Learning Support Office Fax: (071) 46510
Lough Gill
Sligo email: