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State Examinations Reviews

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 May 2014

Tuesday, 13 May 2014

Questions (250)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

250. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has compiled a report of the recommendations of the schools, teachers and students who took part in a pilot scheme of the new junior cycle reform in 46 schools in 2012; if so, whether the report is available to parents and members of the public; if not, report the reasons for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21129/14]

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Written answers

The NCCA Junior Cycle School Network was set up in April 2012. Its role was developmental; providing an in-school perspective on various aspects of the new junior cycle. It was never intended to be a pilot of the new junior cycle. The NCCA Network comprises 48 schools selected from applications made in response to a general invitation issued to all schools. It is representative of all school types and size and includes schools from a wide geographic spread, Irish-medium schools and DEIS-designated schools. Network schools have received NCCA support in planning new approaches to junior cycle, opportunities to participate in professional development within their own schools and with other network schools, and immediate access to ideas and resources generated by network schools. The benefits of participation to the network schools involved have been direct in terms school and individual professional development.

A report, such as you are suggesting, has not been prepared nor is it intended. Instead, the tangible outcomes based on network experiences such as courses developed, programme samples, presentations, planning/review workshops experiences have in many cases formed the basis of material shared with the full cohort of post-primary schools. In addition, NCCA has gained very significant insight into the response of schools and teachers to particular aspects of the Framework and their introduction into the day-to-day school setting.

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