'Little evidence' of improved exam performance or retention rates in first ten years of Deis

Study found 'little evidence' of improved achievement or retention outcomes in post-primary schools that participated in Deis from 2007, one year into the programme, up to 2016. File picture

There is "little evidence" the first decade of the Deis programme improved exam performance or school retention rates, new research suggests.

An in-depth analysis of the first 10 years of the programme for disadvantaged schools found little to no effect on Junior Certificate achievement, or on progression to Leaving Cert.