Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
675. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the child development model that was used in setting the criteria for the L2LP Numeracy Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38469/23]
View answerThe Level 2 Numeracy Priority Learning Unit (PLU) is one of five PLUs, along with short learning courses, that make up the Level 2 Learning Programme (L2LP). It is a standalone numeracy programme. It is distinct from Level 3 Junior Cycle Mathematics.
As stated in the Framework for Junior Cycle (2015), L2LPs and Level 1 Learning Programmes (L1LPs) are designed for a small number of students with particular special educational needs. L2LPs are designed to provide curricular access to students with General Learning Disabilities (GLD) in the low mild to high moderate range of abilities.
Consultation on Draft Guidelines for Teachers of Students with General Learning Disabilities (2002) highlighted a gap in curriculum, assessment and certification provision at Junior Cycle for students within the low mild to moderate range of GLD. The consultation found that even with the most sophisticated differentiated approaches, mainstream Junior Cycle remained inaccessible to a small group of students. It was also noted that the curriculum was not fully appropriate for some students who needed concerted support in personal, social and vocational development. The introduction of L2LPs within the Junior Cycle programme in 2014 aimed to make the curriculum more accessible to students with low mild to high moderate range of GLD.
Students with low mild to high moderate GLD benefit from an L2LP as it purposely focuses on development and learning in elementary literacy and numeracy, language and communication, mobility and leisure skills, motor coordination and social and personal development.
The focus of all L2LPs is to enable students with general learning disabilities to acquire the knowledge, concepts, skills and values that are required to promote and progress independent living skills.
