A Framework for Junior Cycle

BRIEFING October 2012

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A Framework for Junior Cycle

•

A Framework for Junior Cycle

will be published by Minister Quinn today • Adopts many of the curricular changes proposed by the NCCA in

Towards a Framework for Junior Cycle

(Nov 2011) • Contains more radical changes to how students’ progress and learning are assessed 2

Key features

• 8 principles for junior cycle – underpin the design and planning for junior cycle • 24 statements of learning – describe what students should know, understand, value and be able to do – a basis for planning a broad and balanced programme for students in the school • Key skills – literacy, numeracy and six other key skills embedded in all syllabuses and short courses 3

Key features: What will students learn?

• A school’s junior cycle programme will include: – Range of subjects – Range of short courses – Priority Learning Units (PLUs) – Other learning experiences • Greater flexibility to schools to design their own junior cycle programme suited to the needs of their student 4

Subjects

• Schools will be able to select from 21 subjects • Phased introduction: begin with English in 2014 • Syllabuses will – be outcomes based – incorporate examples of students’ learning to illustrate to teachers the standards expected • English, Irish, Mathematics – For all students – 240 hours of engagement • Other subjects – 200 hours of engagement 5

Short courses

• A range of short courses will be delineated by the NCCA – e.g. SPHE, CSPE, Digital Media Literacy, Chinese, Computer Programming/Coding • Schools free to develop their own short courses in accordance with NCCA specifications • 100 hours of student engagement • Student can substitute two short courses for one subject • Maximum of four short courses allowed for certification 6

Priority learning units (PLUs) Other learning experiences

PRIORITY LEARNING UNITS • Meet the learning and accreditation needs of students with learning disabilities • Social, pre-vocational and life skills – Communicating and literacy – Numeracy – Personal Care – Living in a community – Preparing for work OTHER LEARNING EXPERIENCES • Guidance, aspects of pastoral care, elements of religious education, other learning initiatives 7

So what will a typical student study?

• A minimum of 8 subjects and a maximum of 10 subjects for certification • May substitute two short courses for a subject up to a maximum of 4 short courses • Range of options for certification –

8 subjects

OR

7 subjects + 2 short courses

OR

6 subjects + 4 short courses –

9 subjects

OR

8 subjects + 2 short courses

OR

7 subjects + 4 short courses –

10 subjects

OR

9 subjects + 2 short courses

OR

8 subjects + 4 short courses • Plus, other learning experiences 8

Assessment

• Current Junior Certificate examination will be phased out and replaced by a school based assessment • Ongoing classroom assessment for learning providing feedback to students • Standardised testing for all students at end of second year – English reading and Mathematics (from 2014) – Irish reading in Irish-medium schools (from 2014) – Science (from 2016) 9

Assessment at end of junior cycle

• Subjects – School-work component for all subjects completed in Year 2 and Year 3 (40% of overall marks) – Final assessment component for all subjects completed at the end of Year 3 using assessment paper provided by the SEC initially (60% of marks) – Final assessment component will be an examination of no more than two hours – Final assessment component administered and marked by teachers in school for most subjects – Two levels for English, Irish and Mathematics; one level for all other subjects 10

Assessment at end of junior cycle

• Subjects – Initially, for a transitional period, final assessments will be administered and marked by SEC for Irish, English and Mathematics – Marks provided back to school for combining with school-work component – For all other subjects, final assessment component will be marked by teachers using a marking scheme provided by the SEC • PLUs and short courses – Assessment by school 11

Grades in the new school-based certification

• Grades for marking on a five-point scale – Not achieved 0% - 39% – Achieved – Achieved with Merit – Achieved with Higher Merit – Achieved with Distinction 40% - 54% 55% - 74% 75% - 89% 90% - 100% 12

Reporting

• Learning achieved by students recorded and reported by the school to students and parents – A junior cycle student achievement profile,

including

– A school certificate • School certificate – Grades awarded by student in between 8-10 subjects or equivalent • Achievement profile – Will also report on other learning experiences and achievements 13

Quality assurance to support new junior cycle

• Subject specifications will contain clear outcomes and examples of students’ work to illustrate standards for teachers, parents and students • Comprehensive professional development for teachers • Professional development for principals in curriculum leadership and assessment • NCCA moderation and assessment toolkit • New reporting system will encourage generation of evidence of learning across subjects, short courses and other learning experiences • Standardised tests – information re students’ learning relative to the student cohort 14

Quality assurance at the end of junior cycle

• SEC will provide examination papers and marking schemes for subjects • SEC will administer and mark Irish, English and Maths for initial period • Internal moderation in schools accordance with guidance on moderation – confirmed by principal • Results awarded will be returned to DES – national monitoring of patterns • DES will provide schools with data profile arising from its statistical analysis – advise the schools of patterns in the school’s data relative to national trends 15

Quality assurance at the end of junior cycle

• In the event of an unusual pattern of achievement – School will be informed – Advice and support provided to school on assessment/moderation, organisation of moderation meetings – External support may be provided to schools during moderation process – Evaluation of teaching, learning and assessment in the school may be carried out by the Inspectorate • National and international benchmarking – Periodic National Assessment of Maths and English Reading in line with

National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy

– Continued participation in PISA 16

Phasing of subjects

• Begin 2014, first certification in 2017 – English • Begin 2015, first certification in 2018 – Irish; Science; Business Studies • Begin 2016, first certification in 2019 – Art, Craft & Design; Modern languages; Home Economics; Music; Geography • Begin 2017, first certification in 2020 – Mathematics; Technology subjects; RE; Jewish Studies; Classics; History 17

The new junior cycle…..

“The new junior cycle will provide a framework within which children can express the fullest range of their abilities….

It provides opportunity for growth and for a broader experience of education. And it provides real information on progress and ways of improvement for individual students.

Such an approach should enable all students to achieve their full potential and be properly challenged in their learning, thereby raising educational standards. Our children deserve nothing less.”

Ruairí Quinn, TD, Minister for Education and Skills

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