As the Scottish Educational Research Association meets in Dundee for its annual conference it is circulating the findings of a Convention of Scottish Local Authorities survey into the councils’ research priorities. COSLA hopes to hear from researchers who may be able to work with councils on future projects.
Early literacy and numeracy strategies, and early intervention on social disadvantage are top of the councils’ needs, with 11 putting these as high priorities. Next come positive behaviour strategies, assertive discipline and avoiding exclusion. Staffing, timetabling and other issues for Higher Still also feature.
COSLA’s research and intelligence group exists to encourage collaboration between education authorities working on similar areas of research. The group has already developed links with the educational research group at the Scottish Office, the Scottish Council for Research in Education and SERA. It now wishes to make contact with individual researchers. Anyone interested should submit a short synopsis of research experience and expertise they can offer.
Further information from Graham Atherton at COSLA, Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5XZ, tel: 0131 474 9292