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Quality assurance in Irish schools: inspection and school self-evaluation

McNamara, Gerry orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-9725-9304, O'Hara, Joe orcid logoORCID: 0000-0003-1956-7640, Brown, Martin orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-5436-354X and Quinn, Irene (2020) Quality assurance in Irish schools: inspection and school self-evaluation. Administration, 68 (4). pp. 161-180. ISSN 0001-8325

Abstract
In this paper, we provide an overview of the development of school inspection in Ireland over the past twenty years using the analytic and critical lens developed by Richard Boyle in partnership with the current authors. The paper is fundamentally a reflection on the nature, purpose and operation of evaluation in the Irish public sector through the lens of education. The paper provides a historical overview of developments in the linked areas of school evaluation and inspection, and goes on to explore how the implementation of this mode of quality assurance has influenced, and been influenced by, a wide range of policy actors. The argument made is that education has embedded a culture of evaluation in a unique yet systemically resonant manner and that a reflection on this reality will help illuminate our understanding of the role of evaluation across the public sector as a whole.
Metadata
Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:School evaluation; school inspection; accountability; quality assurance; reform
Subjects:Social Sciences > Education
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Institute of Education > School of Policy & Practice
Research Initiatives and Centres > EQI - Centre for Evaluation, Quality and Inspection
Publisher:Sciendo
Official URL:https://doi.org/10.2478/admin-2020-0029
Copyright Information:© 2020 The Authors.
ID Code:29645
Deposited On:29 Feb 2024 14:36 by Melissa Lynch . Last Modified 29 Feb 2024 14:36
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