Thomas Gould
Question:102. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education whether she has engaged with the State Examinations Commission regarding Leaving Certificate maths papers. [31632/23]
View answerThursday, 29 June 2023
Questions (102)
Written answers
The State Examinations Commission or the SEC has responsibility for the development, operation and delivery of the State examinations. In accordance with its role, all matters relating to the drafting and setting of examinations and the marking of them fall within its remit. Ensuring integrity and fairness in the examinations is a core part of the SEC’s role.
The SEC has advised that examination papers and draft marking schemes are developed through a rigorous development process to meet the requirements of the relevant syllabi and standards of assessment. The examination paper development process involves a multi-stage process of drafting, setting, translating and various layers of oversight and scrutiny. Those involved are experts in the subject who are also teachers.
As part of the normal paper development process, Mathematics papers for 2023 were reviewed by subject experts before they were finalised in order to assess their suitability, the appropriateness of how they assess various learning outcomes set out in the subject specification or syllabus, the clarity of language in them and the demand they present.
Leaving Certificate examination papers are also subject to review by university representatives who view the draft examination papers and marking schemes. The role of the representatives is to verify to the university authorities that the examinations are satisfactory for matriculation purposes.
A detailed manual setting out the process is available on the website of the SEC which is www.examinations.ie. The Manual for Drafters, Setters and Assistant Setters can be found under Publications, on the About Us section of the website (www.examinations.ie/about-us/Setting%20Manual_rev3.pdf)
The Department engages regularly with the SEC on a range of matters relating to the examinations, and there has been engagement in respect of this particular issue. In terms of marking, the SEC advises that examiners in Maths, who are generally experienced teachers in the subject, work under the overall direction and management of the Chief Examiner for the subject.
The Chief Examiner for each examination takes all necessary steps to ensure that the examination paper, the marking scheme and its application to the work produced in that year’s examination combine to ensure that the performance standards are appropriately set and maintained. The approach taken by the SEC to the development of the final marking schemes ensures consistency in the marking and fairness to candidates.
The SEC has also advised that commentary and correspondence on the examinations from students, parents, teachers, professional bodies and other interested parties, which is a normal part of the examinations process, is brought to the attention of the Chief Examiner and is considered in the refinement of the draft marking scheme. Any such correspondence received in my Department has been brought to the SEC's attention.
The Deputy may also wish to note that the National Educational Psychology Service, has developed a range of online wellbeing resources and supports for Leaving Certificate students, which are available on gov.ie at Wellbeing support for Leaving Certificate students, parents and school staff (www.gov.ie).