Methodologies & Research
The target group selection methodology of the project is structured as follows:
1. Selection of the counties where the project is implemented
The purpose of the project is to address educational issues at national level. Consequently, we will implement the main activities of the project in 24 counties, divided into two categories:
– 8 counties where permanent activities will be conducted with the target group of the project. These counties are Bucharest, Giurgiu, Vrancea, Vaslui, Mures, Bistrita Nasaud, Caras Severin, Mehedinti. We selected these counties based on the following criteria: very low income per capita, large number of emigrants, low school attendance correlated with significant early school leaving rates. Bucharest was selected due to the UNEFS location where activities with children at risk of exclusion from Bucharest will be implemented.
– 16 counties for itinerant activity. These counties will be selected during the project according to: the vicinity with the 8 counties of the first category, small incomes correlated with low participation in the educational process
2. Selection of supported schools
The schools in our project will be selected according to a methodology implemented in the first part of the project. These schools will be divided into two categories:
– 16 schools where the constant activities of the project will be carried out. The sustainable support granted to these schools will also generate a 1% increase in the transition rate from ISCED 2 to ISCED 3. The methodology is based on the following criteria:
– location – schools will be located in one of the 8 nominated counties, preferably in rural communities affected by educational and social exclusion
– the number of children in the ISCED 2 secondary school (grades V – VIII) per school
– large number of absences
– number of students with known vulnerabilities: single-parent families, families receiving social assistance, one or both parents working abroad, Roma, CES children (special educational requirements)
– infrastructure – sports facilities, the existence of PE teachers, accessibility to a form of catering or food delivery
– the desire to be part of the project
– 16 schools where the itinerant activities will be implemented. These schools will be involved only sequentially in the project activities being prepared to take over and implement the proposed pattern after the implementation period. The criteria for these school selection are:
– proximity to the 16 schools where the constant activities will take place
– all the above criteria. Schools with itinerant activities do not need a well-structured infrastructure for sporting activities but will provide an area where practical activities can be presented.
All schools will be selected together with the County Inspectorates. An expert from these County Inspectorates will be part of the project (8 experts) and will directly coordinate the relationship with the schools. We will conclude collaboration agreements with each participating school. In addition, a coordinator from the 14 schools with constant activities will be part of the project team
3. Children selection – the main target group
– 1200 children from 16 schools where constant activities will take place. The selection methodology is based on the cooperation with the teachers in the schools, on the parental consents and on equal opportunities. Based on the principle of desegregation, we will try to select homogeneous classes for the project so that the focus is on inclusion and not on the exclusion of any member of the community in the project activities.
– 1400 children from 16 schools where itinerant activities will take place. The selection methodology will be based on the same principles
For children with disabilities, the selection methodology will be conducted by involving UNEFS experts and representative of local authorities (CJRAE, school psychologists, etc.).
4. Secondary target group selection
– 760 teachers selected from participating schools as well as from other schools with similar challenges in the region
– 800 parents of the main Target Group
5. Specific methodologies