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State Examinations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021

Wednesday, 10 March 2021

Questions (478)

Robert Troy

Question:

478. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if clarification will be provided on the practical aspects of some exam subjects (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12483/21]

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Written answers

On 17 February, I confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 examinations will proceed and students will also have the option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades.

This decision followed intensive engagement with education stakeholders bilaterally and through the Planning for State Examinations 2021 Advisory Group and sub-group.

This decision ensures for every student a method to assess their learning and attainment at the end of their post-primary education and to progress to higher and further education, and the world of work.

Putting in place both the examination and a corresponding measure of SEC-Accredited Grades is essential to ensuring a fair system, having regard to the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic and the loss of learning that has occurred for this group of students due to the interruption of in-person teaching and learning during the periods of school closure.

Under the SEC-Accredited Grades process, students will have the opportunity to opt to receive an SEC-Accredited Grade. They can also opt to sit the Leaving Certificate Examination. Students will opt into these processes on a subject by subject basis. Where students opt for SEC-Accredited Grades and the examinations they will be credited with the better of their results from the two processes, on a subject by subject basis.

It is my view that students must be afforded the choice as to whether to sit the examinations, including the oral and coursework components, as it would be entirely unfair to students to require them to participate in these elements, given the disruption in learning which has occurred. The oral and coursework components of the examinations will not form part of the Accredited Grade process.

However, when estimating marks for the Accredited Grades, teachers will be asked to consider the student’s progress and likely performance across all components of the subject – oral, practical, projects and written. This will ensure that the estimated mark submitted by the school to the SEC reflects the candidate’s work and progress across all aspects of the subject.

Further information is available in A Guide to State Examinations and Accredited Grades for Leaving Certificate 2021 which has been published on www.gov.ie/leavingcertificate . This guide has also been communicated to schools.

The Guide provides information regarding coursework and mock examinations and advises that mock examinations (i.e. examinations involving full class groups sitting written examinations under conditions that mirror those of the certificate examinations) are neither required nor recommended for use as evidence for the Accredited Grades process. The period following the return to in-school teaching and learning should be used to maximise opportunities for teaching and learning with students.

Following the return to school, the guidance provided states that teachers may set a limited number of additional assessments up to 14 May 2021, though it is important in the period leading up to the determination of estimated percentage marks that over-assessment is avoided. If administering an in-class teacher-designed test, the test should be no more than one lesson in duration (maximum one hour) and a maximum of three class tests may be administered up to 14 May 2021.

The State Examinations Commission has also recently published and sent to schools further information in relation to the arrangements for the Leaving Certificate examinations. Included in this document are details in relation to Coursework Completion dates and Orals, Practicals and Music Practical Performance Tests. The document is available on the SEC website as circular S07/21.

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