Enda Kenny
Question:63 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which the school based assessment aspects are working in junior certificate schools and leaving certificate applied programmes. [12830/99]
Written Answers. - Educational Programmes.
The junior certificate school programme is an intervention which operates within the junior certificate and not an alternative to it. It sets out to make the experience of school relevant and accessible to those young people who find it difficult to cope with the school system and would benefit from special support in working to the aims of the junior certificate. All participants follow courses leading to the foundation level examinations at junior certificate in English and mathematics and possibly other subjects.
The student profiling system which forms part of the junior certificate school programme assists teachers in diagnosing student needs, monitoring and recording student progress and thus provides a basis for focused curriculum planning.
It enables all participants to be provided with a standardised document – the student profile – which gives students credit for what they have learned and achieved, including skills and knowledge which are not currently recognised under the examination system. However it does not constitute part of the formal junior certificate examination assessment. Participating schools have reported that the programme addresses the specific needs of the student cohort for which it was designed and have indicated improved retention rates of the target population.
Candidates in the leaving certificate applied are graded out of a total of 100 credits. Student achievement and performance are recorded in three modes: satisfactory completion of modules – 40 credits; performance of student tasks – 27 credits; performance in a terminal examination – 33 credits.
To be awarded credit for satisfactory completion of modules, students must attend classes and out-of-school activities and complete key assignments related to the modules. No ranking or assessment of performance is involved. A minimum attendance of 90 per cent is expected. A record of evidence of completion of key assignments relating to all modules is maintained by each student. It is a requirement that this be retained in the school and be available for inspec tion until the end of the appeals period following each session.
The student tasks and the terminal examination are marked by external examiners under the direction of inspectors.