Initiatives in Primary Science: an Evaluation (IPSE)

The IPSE series of publications were the outcome of a national evaluation project, conducted by the Association for Science Education (ASE), of the effectiveness of the Local Education Authority schemes for the promotion of science in primary schools, set up under the Government's Education Support Grants (ESG) programme 1985-1988. The initials IPSE mean both ‘Initiatives in Primary Science: an Evaluation’ and ‘Implementing Primary Science Education’.

The IPSE series comprises three books and a collection of separate papers, published by the ASE:

*Report contains the findings and recommendations of the evaluators, together with the evidence on which those judgements are based. It was written primarily for those who were concerned at a senior level with the national or local administration and management of in-service training and support for teachers. Lessons were then drawn from the 54 ESG schemes which started in 1985.

*The school in focus: considered the findings of the evaluators from the perspective of the individual schools involved in ESG projects. It was written principally for a target audience of teachers in schools, although much may be of interest to others.

*Building bridges: had the purpose of disseminating examples of practice and principle concerning matters such as liaison, continuity and progression, recording and assessment. It was addressed to all who are involved in the promotion of continuity and progression within and between schools.

*Snapshots: was intended for use as a file of separate papers, each of which describes interesting practice in one or more of the ESG schemes. It contains case-studies of Local Education Authorities (LEAs) and individual school in-service education (INSET) schemes, students' reactions, and issues associated with local evaluation, resource provision, advisory teacher training, and special needs.

Context
In 1985 the Government invited LEAs to submit programmes of action relating to the teaching of science as part of the primary curriculum. In particular, proposals were invited for the appointment of advisory teachers, drawing on the successful work which has already been carried out in a number of different parts of the country. Local evaluation was to be included but at the same time the government set up a national evaluation, which was undertaken by the ASE.

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