Transcript Slide 1

Joint TUI/ASTI Seminar
with
NCCA Junior Cycle Network Schools
Saturday 29th September, 2012.
Dublin
Junior Cycle : Proposed New Framework
SUBJECTS
SHORT COURSES
PLUs
All Subjects Retained
Schools Select Options
5 Priority Learning Units
(Special Needs)
(Core – Irish, English, Maths
Options –Selected by school)
240 hrs / 200 hrs
Syllabi Developed
by NCCA
Qualification:
Terminal Exam (60%)
100 hrs
250 hours
6 Developed by NCCA
Others Locally Designed
Developed by NCCA
Qualification:
-------
Qualification:
-------
Externally set/examined
School Based Work (40%)
Internal + External
Moderation
School Based Work
(100%)
Internal Moderation
.
School Based Work (100%)
Internal + External
Moderation
Junior Cycle : Proposed New Framework
Subjects
Short courses
PLUs
Address 24 Statements of Learning
Incorporate Key Skills, Literacy and Numeracy
Promote Integrated Learning
National Qualification Level 3 (SEC)
Cap of 8 Subjects or
7 Subjects + 2 Short Courses or
6 subjects + 4 Short Courses
National Qualification Level 2
5 Priority Learning Units + 2 Short Courses
Junior Cycle Proposals Represent:
• Radical shift in student experience and opportunities
• Significant change to work practices and teacher
responsibility
• Possibilities and risks (curriculum options, elearning,
eportfolios, workload, standards, administration, equity)
which lead to:
• Competing and complementary issues and interests
NCCA Network Activity
• Schools as exploratory hubs
• Design, test, troubleshoot, inform ….
• Examine possible approaches to change
• Identify practical issues/concerns/solutions
• Provide clarification and evidence
• Inform further discussion and development
Union Perspectives and Concerns
• Teacher Workload – could escalate inordinately
• Resources – current restructuring, additional?
• Course Development (time, standards, validation…)
• Assessment (standards, teacher involvement and expertise, time
allocation, standards, monitoring…..)
• Professional Development and Support (access, time,
quality)
• Planning Capacity and Time
Union Perspectives and Concerns
• Timetabling capacity (to support curriculum options, assessment
activity)
• Contracted Curriculum, Specialisms, Centres of
Excellence, Inter-school Competiveness
• Truncated Opportunities for Students
• Support Progression to Senior Cycle
• Standard, Monitoring, Evaluation, Public Perception
• Equity and Access
Teacher Unions
• Recognise evolutionary nature of curriculum
• See context for and timing of change as very
important
• Believe resources for effective implementation are a
big challenge
• Need system wide critique on possibilities/ pitfalls
• Are open to network activity and experience shaping
perspective
• Support frank and respectful relationship with
Network Schools
TUI & ASTI Contact Details
TUI –
Bernie Judge, Education and Research Officer
Email: [email protected]; phone: 01 - 4922588.
ASTI –
Moira Leydon, Assistant General Secretary
Email: [email protected]; phone: 01 – 6040169.