Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Feb 1994

Vol. 438 No. 4

Written Answers. - Leaving Certificate Examination.

Enda Kenny

Question:

314 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Education the way in which correlation is effected between the marking schemes for languages and those for mathematics, including applied mathematics, physics, chemistry and physics-chemistry, in the leaving certificate examination; the criteria, if any, that are applied in doing so; and if she has satisfied herself that these correlations and criteria reflect accurately the relative standards of performance, effect involved and level of attainment achieved.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

There is no necessary correlation in the performance of candidates across a range of subjects. There are some related curricular areas in which a reasonable correlation can be expected that is in the mathematics and the exact sciences on the one hand or in languages on the other. However, in an examination like the leaving certificate which involves a cohort of more than 60,000 candidates the likelihood of correlations is remote because of different participation rates and the ability and attainment levels of candidates attempting various subjects.

It might appear, at first sight, that some subjects are marked more leniently or more harshly than others. There are indeed some subjects, like Italian, where the number of A grades is high when expressed as a percentage of the candidates taking Italian. However, the fact that Italian is taken by only a small number of candidates means that their examination performance is not at all likely to correspond to a representative norm. Some subjects with low participation rates, for example applied mathematics, have traditionally attracted the very brightest of candidates and, consequently, have yielded a disproportionate number of high grades. It would be wrong to conclude that the large proportion of A and B grades in a subject such as applied mathematics is proof that it is a soft option subject. It would be quite inappropriate and unjust to make the spread of grades in applied mathematics conform to that of a high participation subject like French.

The standards applied in the leaving certificate have evolved over the years. It must be stated that the leaving certificate, using the standards thus evolved, enjoys high credibility and acceptability particularly in our schools.

Supervision and moderation of each paper continues for the duration of the marking process under the guidance of the chief examiner who has an overview of the whole operation.

I am fully satisfied that greatest care is taken to ensure that the results of the leaving certificate are a fair reflection of the quality of performance across the various subjects.