Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
147. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions in place for mature leaving certificate external candidates; and if, in circumstances in which an external candidate is being tutored, if the tutor will be permitted to submit a predicted grade on behalf of the student. [10050/20]
View answer175. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10192/20]
View answer206. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if special arrangements have been put in place to facilitate students due to sit leaving certificate examinations this summer that are not presently enrolled in a second-level educational institution and may be unable to obtain a calculated grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10434/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 147, 175 and 206 together.
I published detailed guidance on calculated grades on 21 May. The document sets out information on the process of estimating marks for students to receive calculated grades. The document, together with Frequently Asked Questions, are available on gov.ie/leavingcertificate.
Where a student is not connected to a school and is studying one or more subjects independently outside of school, the Department will look at such situations on a case by case basis and will be flexible in accepting estimated marks and rankings. Every effort will be made to provide an estimated mark where there is sufficient credible evidence of the student’s achievement. Students will be able to use this calculated grade in the same way as a Leaving Certificate grade to satisfy minimum entry requirements.
Where it is not possible to provide a calculated grade students will have the opportunity to sit the 2020 Leaving Certificate examination at a later date when it is safe to do so.
The Calculated Grades Executive Office is currently in direct contact with external students who are taking subjects outside of school, with a view to determining on an individual basis whether it is possible to include them in the calculated grades model.
