Vol. 526 No. 3
117 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has to proceed with the annotation of certificates issued in respect of the leaving certificate and junior examination certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26504/00]
135 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the concerns of the association for children and adults with learning difficulties regarding the negative effects of special annotation on exam certificates in view of the fact that arrangements such as using a reader or a tape recorder do not substantially alter the examination method and job applicants who avail of such arrangements and who are likely to pursue careers in accordance with their strengths rather than their weaknesses, and in further view of the fact that similar students in previous years now have the advantage of no annotation. [26225/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 135 together.
Inclusiveness and transparency are core principles underpinning the certificate examinations. The examinations were made more inclusive this year by allowing a student, depending on his or her special need, have his or her result in a subject based upon all except some element of the examination in that subject. I can assure the Deputy that in all such cases the grade awarded is a full and accurate reflection of the candidate's performance in the examination and the examination certificates issued by my Department will state that unequivocally.
This new measure enables a candidate to obtain maximum marks for the subject even though his or her special need precludes him or her from demonstrating attainment in core elements of the standard assessment. The change made this year aligns our examination system with best international practice where changes to standard assessment that arise as a result of granting the assistance of readers and scribes are enabled by including an explanatory note on the examination certificate.
