An Evaluation Of The Transition Year Programme In Ireland

The Transition Year Programme(TYP),also known simply as Transition Year(TY)is truly a unique feature of Irish Education.Transition Year is a one-year school-based programme between Junior and Senior Cycle.The students,around 15 years old,may opt after Junior Cycle to participate in the Transition Year Programme(TYP)before commencing their two year Senior Cycle,if it is offered by the school.The year acts as a bridge between the two by facilitating the smooth transition from the more dependent learning of Junior Cycle to the more independent self-directed learning required for the Senior Cycle.The mission statement of the Transition Year is to promote the personal,social,educational and vocational development of pupils and to prepare them for their role as autonomous,participative and responsible members of society.The paper is structured as follows:Chapter 1 – Introduction: the origins of this research,its aims and significance,literature review,methodologies,concept of Transition Education and the Transition Year Programme.Chapter 2 – Theory and History of Transition Year Programme: the three phases of Transition Year's introduction in Ireland,the programme's mission statement and principle,its curriculum and theory,and the evaluation of the programme.Chapter 3 – Benefits and Criticisms of Transition Year(TY): TY and work experience,TY and experiential learning,TY and all-round development.Three broad issues are discussed in this chapter: compulsory TY vs optional TY,perception of TY as a ‘doss year' and barriers to participation in the programme.Chapter 4 –Enlightenment and Inspirations from Transition Year Programme: a comparison of Chinese and Irish second level education and how Transition Year principles could be applied to improve second level education in China.The Transition Year Programme has been extremely beneficial to Irish society and economy.Ireland is ranked as one of the wealthiest countries in the EU.Ireland's rapid,real economic growth has benefited from a series of changes in the education system,the Transition Year Programme being one of the most influential.Since its introduction in 1974,the programme has experienced unprecedented growth now being offered in over 90% of schools on the island.Based on its significant success over its 40-year history in Ireland,it is surprising that currently there does not appear to be a programme that compares adequately with it anywhere else in the world.Transition Year is a unique and exciting model to inspire the development of Chinese education system.