Overview of FIESTA Network given at LINQ Conference, Rome, Italy on 17 May 2013 by Alan Bruce

1. THE FIESTA PROJECT: INCLUSION
& TRANSITION
DR. ALAN BRUCE
MS. KATE KEARNEY
LINQ: ROME, 17 MAY 2013

2. AIMS OF FIESTA
 Professional network – transnational and innovative
 Key stakeholders – education, health and social services
 Multidisciplinary learning approach
 Learning and support requirements for pupils with special needs
 Focus on inclusion, integration and rights
 Concentration on periods of transition

3. TARGET GROUPS
 Pupils with SEN
 Parents
 Educators and teachers
 Professionals – health, education and allied supports
 Inclusive support and assessment staff
 Policy makers and planners

4. APPROACHING TRANSITION
 Coordination
 Multidisciplinary linkage
 Shared perspectives
 Meaningful progression
 Family engagement
 Flexibility
 Satisfaction and engagement

5. DEFINING TRANSITION
 Transition of children with special needs from pre-school to
primary school
 Transition of children with special needs from primary school to
secondary school
 Transition of children with special needs to mainstream
environments
 Dynamics of transition in contexts of inclusion
 Isolating evidence-based best practice elements.

6. SHAPING THE NETWORK -
PARTNERS
 Ireland (Enable Ireland; Universal Learning Systems)
 Bulgaria (Center for Inclusive Education)
 Romania (EuroEd)
 Greece (Platon School)
 Netherlands (CMO; CSG)
 Scotland (University of Edinburgh)
 Cyprus (University of Nicosia)
 Finland (Context Learning)
 Spain – Catalonia (Pi del Burgar)

7. INNOVATION & LEARNING QUALITY
 Research program
 Literature review
 Models of best practice
 Defining SEN
 Setting a common EU framework
 Establishing a vibrant transnational network
 Creating innovative learning supports and tools

8. KEY OUTCOMES
 Transferable learning tools
 School self-assessment package
 Transition starter kit
 E-learning training modules
 Collaborative working models
 On-line story telling framework
 Student, parent and stakeholder support framework
 Sustainable international network

9. PUBLIC EVENTS
 International Conference: Understanding and Managing
Transition,
Katerini, Greece (30 November 2012)
 Final Conference: Barcelona, October 2014

10. CONTACT
 www.fiesta-project.eu
 Project Manager:
Kate Kearney (kkearney@enableireland.ie)
 Project Presenter LINQ:
Dr. Alan Bruce, ULS (abruce@ulsystems.com)