Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2024
303. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a list of the new and revised subjects with regard to the senior cycle redevelopment (details supplied) that are intended to be rolled out in 2025. [6444/24]
View answer304. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will explain in detail how the introduction and revision of nine subjects is intended to alleviate pressure for students sitting the Leaving Certificate. [6445/24]
View answer305. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to explain in detail what the externally assessed components that are not a traditional written examination to be incorporated in the senior cycle will look like in practice; and when they are planned to take place, if not in June. [6446/24]
View answer306. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when in 2026 the second tranche of revised subjects will be introduced, and what these subjects are expected to be. [6447/24]
View answer307. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she can provide an update on the research that is being conducted by the SEC on the potential role and impact of generative artificial intelligence in teacher-based assessment; when she expects this research to be completed and published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6448/24]
View answer308. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she can present a schedule of the phases or tranches over which all senior cycle subjects will be revised. [6449/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 303 to 308, inclusive, together.
It is my vision that Irish education continues to innovate, improve, and inspire. In September 2023, I announced an acceleration to my ambitious programme for Senior Cycle Redevelopment. In this new phase of the programme, there will be an accelerated national roll-out of the revised subject specifications for seven existing Leaving Certificate Established subjects within Tranche One in September 2025, two years sooner than previously announced. This acceleration will serve a greater number of Leaving Certificate students.
These subjects are Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Arabic, Latin, Ancient Greek, and Business. Part of these transformative developments include the introduction of the two new Senior Cycle subjects of Drama, Film and Theatre Studies, and Climate Action and Sustainable Development. These two new subjects will be introduced on a phased basis, initially across a small network of schools, at the beginning of the school year 2025/26. For new and revised subject in Tranche 1, a comprehensive programme of teacher professional learning will commence in the 2024/25 school year, the year prior to teaching and learning commencing in schools.
The second tranche of revised subjects, to be introduced to schools at the beginning of the 2026/27 school year, are Accounting, Construction Studies, Engineering, English, Geography, LCVP Link Modules, and Physical Education. Teacher professional learning for the second tranche of revised subjects will commence in the year prior to teaching and learning in schools.
The schedule of revised specifications to be introduced in the first two tranches have been published on the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) website. It is expected that details for the remaining annual tranches will be published shortly. They will be available on the NCCA website: ncca.ie/en/senior-cycle/senior-cycle-redevelopment/schedule-of-senior-cycle-subjects-for-redevelopment/.
As the Deputy is aware, each of the new subject specifications will incorporate externally assessed components that are not a traditional written examination, referred to as additional assessment components (AACs). These components will be externally assessed by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) and will be worth at least 40% of the available marks.
The AACs aim to reduce the pressure on students that comes from final assessments based primarily on written examinations conducted at the end of sixth year. This is in response to significant engagement with education stakeholders, including representatives of students, teachers, parents, school leadership, management bodies, and subject experts. Importantly, these AACs will be designed to assess students’ skills and key competencies, developed through the study of their chosen subject, in a way that a terminal written examination can not. This model of adopting a broader range of assessment types, over a less concentrated time period is in line with international best practice. It builds on existing assessment practices for many current Leaving Certificate subjects that have assessment components in addition to terminal examinations such as oral and aural examinations, practical examinations, coursework, and performances.
The nature and timing of AACs in each subject will be agreed upon by subject experts in the NCCA’s subject development groups and outlined in the subject specifications; having regard to the timing of AAC submission dates in other subjects. These subject specifications will articulate what the students are required to do, the form(s) in which it can be carried out and submitted and the workload expectations associated with the AAC. The alignment of the coursework assessment to a particular set of learning outcomes from the subject specification will be provided, as well as details on which key competencies and associated learning outcomes will be assessed.
Details will be provided on the nature of the assessment component which could, for example, take the form of a research project/extended essay, oral assessment, performance assessment, portfolio assessment, creation of an artefact, field study, or an experiment/proof of concept/practical investigation.
The consultations for all nine draft subject specifications are now open on the NCCA website. Consultation on the three draft science specifications, and three draft classical languages specifications will conclude on 23 February 2024. Consultation on the draft Business specifications and the two new subjects opened on 2 February 2024 and will conclude on 5 April 2024. Details of the AACs being proposed for each of these subjects is detailed in each specification
ncca.ie/en/updates-and-events/latest-news/2023/december/consultation-open-leaving-certificate-sciences/
ncca.ie/en/updates-and-events/latest-news/2023/december/consultation-open-leaving-certificate-arabic-and-classical-languages/
ncca.ie/en/updates-and-events/latest-news/2024/february-5/3-draft-specifications-consultation/
I have asked the SEC to commission research on generative AI in the context of teacher-based assessment. The scoping of this research project is underway. Timelines will be determined as part of the procurement process.
I hope the Deputy finds this information useful.
