Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2021
25. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education the protection of grade inflation that is anticipated in 2021, if any in leaving certificate results; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35408/21]
View answerOn 17 February I confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 examinations would proceed, guided by public health advice, and that students would also have the option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades.
Students have been able to opt to sit their examinations, to receive Accredited Grades, or both, on a subject-by-subject basis. They will be credited with the better of their results for each subject from the two processes. This was provided to offer students clarity and choice.
The Examinations and Accredited Grades are being run as two separate processes and will be brought together only for the purposes of determining the better result for those candidates who have opted for both.
The focus of the collective efforts for the Leaving Certificate class of 2021 has been to facilitate these students to progress beyond post primary education into the world of work or further education. In this regard the priority will continue to be fairness and public confidence in the options provided.
Part of the Government decision regarding Leaving Certificate 2021 was that the Accredited Grades and examinations outcomes would have regard to the pattern of results in 2020 and previously. The Leaving Certificate results are subject to a process of standardisation each year by the SEC and is necessary to ensure comparability among candidates. The advice of the SEC has been requested as to what account should be taken of the profile of results from last year and preceding years. As happened last year, the percentage marks provided by schools will be combined with other data, such as data on the Junior Cycle performance of the Leaving Certificate class of 2021, and recent national Leaving Certificate results data.
Details of the standardisation approach for Leaving Certificate 2021 will be determined taking account of the advice of the SEC.
