Vol. 513 No. 6
155 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether systems of continuous assessment can be developed for use in the leaving certificate; and the plans, if any, he has to develop this approach. [3168/00]
Systems of continuous assessment could of course be developed for use in the certificate examinations but it must be realised that there are serious practical constraints in releasing teachers from school if such assessment were to be conducted externally. Continuous assessment is in reality only a viable option if it is school based.
A discussion paper was prepared by my Department in relation to assessment issues at junior certificate as a further contribution to the consultation process begun with the circulation of the junior cycle review progress report by the NCCA.
The discussion paper argues that in the case of the leaving certificate, assessment leads to certification for selection and that the integrity of such a system must be beyond question. Consequently in such an environment the concerns of teachers in relation to participation in school-based assessment are understandable.
