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26/09/2011
Revised Junior Cert Proposals Accepted
Radical proposals have been accepted for a replacement for the Junior Certificate.
The plans, approved by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and by teacher trade unions, will now be considered by the Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn and education officials.
Plans for the replacement may see 15-year-olds in Ireland receiving marks for involvement in a school musical or engaging with local community organisations.
These changes follow figures, which revealed a dramatic decline in the literacy and numeracy levels of Irish 15-year-olds.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment warns that unless steps are taken, this slide will continue.
It says the exam focus of the current Junior is stifling student engagement and learning.
When the Junior Cert results were released in the middle of this month it was understood the examinations would undergo many changes by 2015. In a bid to overhaul the grading system proposals were put forth at the request of Mr Quinn.
If approved students will see a fifty-fifty and a sixty-forty split between internal and external assessment. The proposals place a heavy emphasis on school-based portfolio work.
Reform of the Junior Cert is Mr Quinn's main policy priority after the ranking of 15-year-old students slumped in the last year's reports.
A Department of Education spokesman said there was an ambitious timetable for reform and that the Minister hoped the new course could be rolled out from September 2012, with the first revised Junior Cert in 2015.
Under the proposals, changes to the amount of subjects taken, have also been discussed. It is outlined that a maximum of eight subjects would be assessed in comparison to as many as 12 or more currently being evaluated.
(LB/BMcC)
The plans, approved by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and by teacher trade unions, will now be considered by the Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn and education officials.
Plans for the replacement may see 15-year-olds in Ireland receiving marks for involvement in a school musical or engaging with local community organisations.
These changes follow figures, which revealed a dramatic decline in the literacy and numeracy levels of Irish 15-year-olds.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment warns that unless steps are taken, this slide will continue.
It says the exam focus of the current Junior is stifling student engagement and learning.
When the Junior Cert results were released in the middle of this month it was understood the examinations would undergo many changes by 2015. In a bid to overhaul the grading system proposals were put forth at the request of Mr Quinn.
If approved students will see a fifty-fifty and a sixty-forty split between internal and external assessment. The proposals place a heavy emphasis on school-based portfolio work.
Reform of the Junior Cert is Mr Quinn's main policy priority after the ranking of 15-year-old students slumped in the last year's reports.
A Department of Education spokesman said there was an ambitious timetable for reform and that the Minister hoped the new course could be rolled out from September 2012, with the first revised Junior Cert in 2015.
Under the proposals, changes to the amount of subjects taken, have also been discussed. It is outlined that a maximum of eight subjects would be assessed in comparison to as many as 12 or more currently being evaluated.
(LB/BMcC)
Related Irish News Stories
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26 August 2011
Fifty-Fifty For Junior Cert?
Discussions are in place to consider the revision of the Junior Cert exam. In a bid to overhaul the grading system, proposals have been put forth, such as a fifty-fifty and a sixty-forty split between internal and external assessment.
Fifty-Fifty For Junior Cert?
Discussions are in place to consider the revision of the Junior Cert exam. In a bid to overhaul the grading system, proposals have been put forth, such as a fifty-fifty and a sixty-forty split between internal and external assessment.
27 March 2014
ASTI Issue Strike Action Directive To Members
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) has issued a directive to its members following an overwhelming vote in favour of industrial action. The dispute is over planned changes to the Junior Cert programme, with ASTI's members voting 9:1 in favour of action.
ASTI Issue Strike Action Directive To Members
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) has issued a directive to its members following an overwhelming vote in favour of industrial action. The dispute is over planned changes to the Junior Cert programme, with ASTI's members voting 9:1 in favour of action.
07 April 2009
Five Junior Minister Posts To Be Scrapped
It has emerged that five junior minister posts are to be scrapped by Brian Cowen later this month. According to reports today, Mr Cowen held a half-hour meeting with all 20 junior Ministers on Monday morning where he asked all the junior ministers to resign on April 21st.
Five Junior Minister Posts To Be Scrapped
It has emerged that five junior minister posts are to be scrapped by Brian Cowen later this month. According to reports today, Mr Cowen held a half-hour meeting with all 20 junior Ministers on Monday morning where he asked all the junior ministers to resign on April 21st.
21 October 2011
'No Obligation' To Reduce Cert Subjects
The Education Minister has taken a step back from his plans to reduce the amount of subjects taken during the Junior certificate examination after being heavily criticised. Minister Ruari Quinn had proposed that the amount of subjects taken during the exam should be reduced to eight following poor result rankings of students last year.
'No Obligation' To Reduce Cert Subjects
The Education Minister has taken a step back from his plans to reduce the amount of subjects taken during the Junior certificate examination after being heavily criticised. Minister Ruari Quinn had proposed that the amount of subjects taken during the exam should be reduced to eight following poor result rankings of students last year.
14 September 2011
Junior Cert Results Published
Over 50,000 anxious students will open their Junior Certificate results today. More than half a million individual grades in 26 different subjects have been delivered to secondary schools nationwide. It is understood that 15 high achievers have received 12 A grades while 115 secured 11 As and 269 were awarded 10 As.
Junior Cert Results Published
Over 50,000 anxious students will open their Junior Certificate results today. More than half a million individual grades in 26 different subjects have been delivered to secondary schools nationwide. It is understood that 15 high achievers have received 12 A grades while 115 secured 11 As and 269 were awarded 10 As.
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Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
