Research Reports

Reports arising from the research programme are published on our website once completed and signed off by the Council. The NCSE funds the research but responsibility for it, including any errors or omissions, remains with the authors. The views and opinions contained in such reports are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Council.

The following NCSE Research Reports are available to download:

2016

Special Classes in Irish Schools – Phase 2: A Qualitative Study

Authors: Joanne Banks, Selina McCoy, Denise Frawley and Gillian Kingston, Economic and Social Research Institute; and Michael Shevlin and Fiona Smyth, Trinity College, Dublin.

Download NCSE Research Report No.24.

A Study of the Experiences of Post Primary Students with Special Educational Needs

Authors: Garry Squires, Afroditi Kalambouka and Joanna Bragg

Download NCSE Research Report no. 23

An Evaluation of Education Provision for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Ireland

Authors: Patricia Daly; Emer Ring; Margaret Egan; Johanna Fitzgerald; Claire Griffin; Stella Long; Eucharia McCarthy; Mary Moloney; Trevor O’Brien; Anne O’ Byrne; Siobhán O’Sullivan; Marie Ryan; Eugene Wall; with Ruth Madden and Sarah Gibbons: Research Associates

Download NCSE Research Report No. 21

Educating Persons with Autistic Spectrum Disorder – A Systematic Literature Review

Authors: Caroline Bond, Wendy Symes, Judith Hebron, Neil Humphrey and Gareth Morewood

Download NCSE Research Report No. 20

Assistive Technology/Equipment in Supporting the Education of Children with Special Educational Needs – What Works Best?

Authors: Richard Wynne, Donal McAnaney, Trish MacKeogh, Philomena Stapleton, Sarah Delaney, Noeleen Dowling and Isabelle Jeffares
Download NCSE Research Report no. 22

2015

Project IRIS – Inclusive Research in Irish Schools.
A longitudinal study of the experiences of and outcomes for pupils with special educational needs (SEN) in Irish Schools.

Authors: Richard Rose, Michael Shevlin, Eileen Winter and Paul O’Raw
Download NCSE Research Report No 19

2014

Educational Experiences and Outcomes for Children with Special Educational Needs: A Secondary Analysis of Data from the Growing Up in Ireland Study

Authors: Jude Cosgrove, Caroline McKeown, Joseph Travers, Zita Lysaght, Órla Ní Bhroin and Peter Archer
Download NCSE Research Report No 17

Update of NCSE Inventory of Research and Policy Related Publications in the Field of Special Education (2014)

Authors: Joseph Travers and Rosie Savage
Click here to download the report
Click here to link to the searchable database of research and policy references.

Understanding Special Class Provision in Ireland

Authors: Selina McCoy, Joanne Banks, Denise Frawley, Dorothy Watson, Michael Shevlin and Fiona Smyth
Download NCSE Research Report No 16

Review of NCSE Resource Allocation Process and Evaluation of Deployment of Resources in Schools

Authors: William Kinsella, Lelia Murtagh, Joyce Senior and Michael Coleman
Download NCSE Research Report No 18
Download Appendices for Report

2013

What Works in the Provision of Higher, Further and Continuing Education, Training and Rehabilitation for Adults with Disabilities? A Review of the Literature

Authors:Carmel Duggan and Michael Byrne

Download NCSE Research Report No 15

Moving to Further and Higher Education: An Exploration of the Experiences of Students with Special Educational Needs

Authors: Conor Mc Guckin, Michael Shevlin, Sheena Bell and Cristina Devecchi
Download NCSE Research Report No 14

Continuum of Education Provision for children with Special Educational Needs, Review of International Policies and Practices

Authors: Jonathan Rix, Kieron Sheehy, Felicity Fletcher-Campbell, Martin Crisp and Amanda Harper
Download NCSE Research Report No. 13
Click here to download Volume Two: Appendices

A Study of Transition from Primary to Post-primary School for Pupils with Special Educational Needs

Yvonne Barnes-Holmes, Geraldine Scanlon, Deirdre Desmond, Michael Shevlin and Nigel Vahey
Download NCSE Research Report No. 12

2012

Measuring Educational Engagement, Progress and Outcomes for Children with Special Educational Needs (2012)

Authors: Graeme Douglas, Joseph Travers, Mike McLinden, Christopher Robertson, Emma Smith, Natasha Macnab, Steve Powers, Karen Guldberg, Anne McGough, Margaret O’Donnell and Penny Lacey
Download NCSE Research Report No. 11

Curriculum and Curriculum Access Issues for Students with Special Educational Needs in Post-Primary Settings: An International Review

Authors: Alison O’Mara, Benedicte Akre, Tony Munton, Isaac Marrero-Guillamon, Alison Martin, Kate Gibson, Alexis Llewellyn, Victoria Clift-Matthews, Paul Conway and Chris Cooper
Download NCSE Research Report No. 10

2011

A Study on the Prevalence of Special Educational Needs

Authors: Joanne Banks and Selina McCoy
Download to NCSE Research Report No. 9

Access to the curriculum among young pupils with special educational needs in mainstream classes at primary school

Authors: Jean Ware, Cathal Butler, Christopher Robertson, Margaret O’Donnell and Magi Gould
Download NCSE Research Report No 8

An Inventory of Research and Policy Related Publications in the Field of Special Education (2011)

Authors: Joseph Travers, Cathal Butler and Margaret O’Donnell

Click here to download the report.
Click here to download supplementary report A.
Click here to download supplementary report B.
Click here to link to the searchable database of research and policy references.

2010

An International Review of the Literature of Evidence of Best Practice Models and Outcomes in the Education of Children with Emotional Disturbance/Behavioural Difficulties

Authors:Paul Cooper and Barbara Jacobs
Download NCSE Research Report No 7

A National Survey of Parental Attitudes to and Experiences of Local and National Special Education Services

Authors: David Armstrong, Gillian Kane, Gillian O’Sullivan and Maura Kelly
Download NCSE Research Report No. 6
Click here to download a summary of the report

Procedures used to Diagnose a Disability and to Assess Special Educational Needs: An International Review

Authors: Professor Geoff Lindsay and Dr. Martin Desforges
Download NCSE Research Report No 5.

Literature Review on the Principles and Practices Relating to Inclusive Education for Children with Special Educational Needs

Authors: Eileen Winter and Paul O’ Raw
Download Research Report here.

2009

Research Report on the Role of Special Schools and Classes in Ireland

Authors: Dr Jean Ware, Tish Balfe, Cathal Butler, Thérèse Day, Maeve Dupont, Catherine Harten, Ann-Marie Farrell, Rory McDaid, Margaret O’Riordan, Anita Prunty and Joe Travers
Download NCSE Research Report No 4

International Review of the Literature of Evidence of Best Practice Models and Outcomes in the Education of Blind and Visually Impaired Children

Author: Graeme Douglas, Steve McCall, Mike McLinden, Sue Pavey, Jean Ware and Ann Marie Farrell
Download NCSE Research Report No 3

International Review of the Literature of Evidence of Best Practice Provision in the Education of Persons with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Authors: Sarah Parsons, Karen Guldberg, Andrea MacLeod, Glenys Jones, Anita Prunty and Tish Balfe
Download NCSE Research Report No 2

Evidence of Best Practice Models and Outcomes in the Education of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children: An International Review

Authors: Marc Marschark and Patricia Spencer
Download NCSE Research Report No 1

2006

NCSE Special Education Research Initiative (SERI) 2006

Download information on SERI 2006