This study investigates the assessment methods used in Irish immersion schools to identify students for additional teaching support. An overview is provided of the percentage of students receiving additional teaching support in this context and whether there is a higher rate of students accessing additional teaching support in Irish immersion schools than English-medium schools. The challenges of assessment through Irish as a second language are evaluated. In addition, this study investigates the language used by educational professionals when assessing and/or providing interventions for these students. A quantitative research approach was adopted for this investigation, with a random stratified sample of 20% (N = 29) of Irish immersion schools in the Republic of Ireland completing an online questionnaire. SPSS was used to analyse the data. The findings of the present research contribute to the limited body of knowledge available on the types of assessment used in immersion education to identify students for additional teaching support. These findings are significant as there has been limited research undertaken on this aspect in immersion education and the findings of this study may have implications for immersion education contexts in other countries.

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A dearth of research exists internationally as to why parents choose immersion education for their child with special educational needs (SEN). The literature available on why parents choose immersion education for the child without SEN states that bilingualism, the parent’s own personal experiences, social networks, and their love of languages are motivating factors. Research on the factors that influence how parents select any school for their child with SEN states that an inclusive school environment and access to additional services are the primary motivators. Through semi-structured interviews, this study investigated the reasons why parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (N=3) and specific speech and language disorder (N=2) chose to send their child to an Irish immersion primary school when they had the option of educating their child through the majority language of the community, English. This article presents a discussion on the parents’ motivations to send their child to an Irish immersion school in terms of them wanting their child to attend the same school as their other children, their love for the Irish language and culture, and the positive inclusive school culture of an Irish immersion school. The findings of this research will enable Irish immersion schools to identify the needs of the parents and families and further develop as inclusive learning environments.

The literature states the importance of adopting a whole-school approach to inclusion and for meeting the needs of all students. This study investigated the challenges faced by Irish-medium (IM) primary and post-primary schools in relation to providing a whole-school approach to inclusion. This was achieved through a mixed methods study where a stratified sample of teachers from IM schools (N = 56) undertook an anonymous online survey in the first stage. In the second stage, primary and post-primary teachers (N = 31) undertook semi-structured individual interviews to provide in-depth information regarding the data collected in the survey. The findings suggest that like immersion schools internationally, IM schools need more resources through the medium of Irish in relation to assessment, evidence-based interventions, and teaching/learning resources.