Exam focus to be reduced in Junior Cert overhaul
November 4, 2011
JUST six written exams worth 60% of total marks, points for extracurricular activities and a course for students with special needs are among the options for the qualification to replace the Junior Certificate.
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn yesterday gave his backing to the major overhaul of the new three-year programme proposed to him in September. The first students to experience it will not start second level until 2014, meaning it applies to those currently in fourth class at primary level. Last month, the minister rowed back on earlier plans that a limit of eight subjects in which students could be examined would begin for next year’s first-year class, although he is encouraging schools to do so if they can. Instead, the entire revised programme drawn up by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) will be rolled out in three years’ time and the first award of the qualification to replace the Junior Certificate will begin in 2017. Among the changes, reported by the Irish Examiner in September after the NCCA finalised its proposals, are:
* The use of portfolio, continuous assessment and project work, which will be worth 40% of final marks in every subject, removing the focus on written exams at the end of third year and to be marked by teachers in schools.
* The introduction of short courses prescribed by the NCCA or designed by schools, to demonstrate innovation, creativity and critical thinking. These may include subject areas such as cultural studies, development education, book clubs, personal finance, web design, or participation in a school show.
* English, Irish and maths will be compulsory, and science may also be added.
* The three core subjects will be offered at higher and ordinary level but all others will only be examined at common level.
* The grading system A to No-Grade is to be replaced by awards of distinction, merit, pass or ‘not achieved’.
There is an option for a student to replace one or two mainstream subjects with two or four short courses, which could mean a student sits final exams in just six main subjects. The changes will be introduced on a phased basis, meaning English, and probably art, will be the first subjects in which the new qualification will be awarded in 2017. An alternative qualification will be available to students with mild to moderate categories of learning disability, who will be assessed in curriculum covering five areas: communication and literacy, numeracy, looking after myself, living in a community and preparing for work. The emphasis in reforming junior cycle has been to developing young people’s ability to learn and develop important skills, the overhaul also aims to reduce dependence on rote learning for the exam and to make experience of junior cycle more positive. NCCA chief executive, Anne Looney, said schools will have to start work on timetabling and other issues from next year. “Being ready is a big ask for a system more used to a slower pace of change and to change of a modest scale. Supporting schools and supporting teachers who will lead the change will be critical to getting these proposals from the paper and from the screen into the learning and lives of students,” she said.
* ncca.ie/juniorcycle
Real test
MAJOR discussions on implementing the reforms have yet to take place between the Department of Education, State Examinations Commission, teacher unions and school managers. Among the chief concerns of unions are the need to properly train teachers to deliver redesigned courses and to ensure schools with fewer resources to offer short courses are not disadvantaged. Mr Quinn acknowledged these concerns yesterday, but told the NCCA council that the transition year programme has shown that schools can develop their own innovative programmes and modules, sometimes in partnership with other organisations. More difficult to overcome, however, may be industrial relations issues about the planned marking of students’ continuous assessment work in their own schools. While the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland fears the impact of relations with students if members have to award marks to their own students for any elements of state exams, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland has an additional policy requiring payment for such work. Meanwhile, schools are to be allowed to re-employ teachers preparing exam classes for next June who are due to retire before the end of February.
Irish Examiner – Niall Murray
