* Attendance at a DEIS second level school
To meet this indicator, you must have completed five years in a secondary school that takes part in the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) scheme run by the Department of Education and Skills.
Why we use DEIS School as an indicator:
Schools that are part of the DEIS scheme are some of the most disadvantaged schools in the country. Traditionally, few students from these schools go on to third level education. Also, children from DEIS schools tend to leave school earlier and do less well academically than students from other schools.
What is DEIS?
Delivering Equality of Opportunity In Schools (DEIS) is an initiative of the Department of Education and Skills aimed at lessening educational disadvantage and bringing about social inclusion in primary and second level education. DEIS provides:
The DEIS initiative is designed to ensure that the most disadvantaged schools benefit from a comprehensive package of supports, while ensuring that others continue to get support in line with the level of disadvantage among their pupils. Over the years, no less than 8 separate schemes to tackle educational disadvantage have been put in place with some schools benefiting from just one or two of these and others benefiting from more. DEIS adopts a more integrated and joined-up response to the issue of educational inclusion. The School Support Programme under DEIS incorporates the following existing initiatives: