Northern Ireland Education Research Forum (NIERF)
Terms of Reference
Background
The implementation of the Review of Public Administration (RPA) will see the radical restructuring of the education system. Monitoring, advice, research and inspection will have a key role in supporting the RPA changes. Specifically the Department of Education needs to focus on the use of “up-to-date, authoritative information… to determine its strategic priorities, to set standards and to fulfil its accountability responsibilities.” The Review of Public Administration in Northern Ireland, Further Consultation (March 2005)
To address these issues, the Department of Education commissioned a project to undertake a review of its monitoring, research and advice mechanisms.
One of the recommendations of the report of the project was that, as a means of engaging with the academic community in a positive and controlled manner, DE/ESA should establish an education research forum.
Overall Aim
The purpose of this group is primarily to exchange research information, knowledge and skills to inform analytical thinking on current and emerging issues in relation to education.
Specific Aims of the Group
- ·To discuss relevant educational research currently being undertaken/planned by group members
- ·To highlight the key policy areas/issues for the Department/ESA now and those emerging for the future
- ·To discuss and share ideas/developments relating to research and methodological issues
- ·To identify and explore opportunities to improve the effective use of research findings and dissemination of these to a wider audience
Operation
It is envisaged that the Forum will meet bi-annually, with the Department providing secretariat. Papers for meetings and minutes of meetings will be circulated to members via email. Where possible, issues arising between meetings will be held until the next scheduled meeting.
[NIERF Current Membership]
This page was last updated on 25th September 2009
|
