A key element of the new Framework are Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs). These assessments will be undertaken by students across the junior cycle, one in 2nd year and one in 3rd year.
The second CBA will be followed by a written Assessment Task which will be externally marked by the State Examinations Commission. The assessment task is worth 10% of the marks for the final examination.
However, teachers of English who are members of ASTI have been directed by their union that, while they are to teach the new specification, they are not to undertake the Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) with their students. Therefore, students who are taught by a teacher who is a member of the ASTI will not receive a grade for their CBAs. Since the second CBA is linked to the written Assessment Task these students cannot complete the Assessment Task.
Officials from my Department recently met with the ASTI on this matter, where the position regarding the written assessment task was made very clear. In cases where the assessment task is not completed the State Examinations Commission cannot award any marks in respect of this mandatory component. Therefore, candidates for Junior Cycle English in 2017 who do not complete the assessment task can only be marked and graded based on a maximum of 90% of the available marks.
I recently requested the ASTI to provide an immediate derogation from their directive for current teachers of English, while talks between my Department and the union on the Junior Cycle proceed, in order that current Third Year English students of ASTI members are no longer unfairly and unjustifiably disadvantaged. A response is awaited.
