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:

2024

Research Studies undertaken as part of the NCSE Policy Advice Paper on Special Schools and Classes – January 2024

The NCSE has published a landmark policy advice paper on special schools and classes – see Policy Advice page for further details.

Two supporting documents are published alongside the policy advice paper:

Read the Literature Review relating to policy advice on educational provision for students in special schools and special classes.
Read the International Administrative Review of specialist provision for students with special educational needs.

2021

Review of Education in Adult Day Services: Main Report

Report appendices

Authors: RSM: Terry McAdam, Jenny Irwin, Rosalind Henry, Beth Young, Laura Brownlee, Steven Norris, June Graham, David Fleming, Patrick McCourt, Matthew McCracken and Robert Ward.
TCD: Professor Michael Shevlin, Dr Miriam Twomey, Dr Conor McGuckin, Dr Joanne Banks, Dr Norah Sweetman and Dr Mary-Ann O’Donovan.

2020

Evaluation of In-School and Early Years Therapy Support Demonstration Project

Authors: Helen Lynch, Emer Ring, Bryan Boyle, Alice Moore, Ciara O’Toole, Lisha O’Sullivan, Therese Brophy, Pauline Frizelle, Deirdre Horgan, Dan O’Sullivan

2019

Initial Teacher  Education for Inclusion: Final Report

Authors: Peter Hick, Aikaterini Matziari, Joseph Mintz, Finn Ó Murchú, Kevin Cahill, Kathy Hall, Catriona Curtin and Yvette Solomon

2018

Initial Teacher Education for Inclusion: phase 1 & 2 report

Authors: Peter Hick, Yvette Solomon, Joseph Mintz, Aikaterini Matziari, Finn Ó Murchú, Kathy Hall, Kevin Cahill, Catriona Curtin, Despoina Margariti

Research Studies undertaken as part of the Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme

International Administrative Review of the Use of Non-Teaching Adult Support in Schools for Students with Additional Care Needs
Authors: NCSE Research Unit

Literature Review relating to the Role of the Special Needs Assistant
Authors: NCSE Research Unit

A qualitative study of how well young people with disabilities are prepared for life after school
Authors: RSM PACEC

Click here to download the appendices for the report

Altered Provision Project – Review of a Pilot Project

Authors: Ann Marie Casserly, Evelyn Deacy, Dolores McDonagh, Bairbre Tiernan

Educational Experiences and Outcomes of Children with Special Educational Needs: Phase 2 – from age 9 to 13. 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. 25

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