Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2015
992. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for the English school-based assessment for second year, as the teachers have boycotted the training; her views that this planned oral communication presentation runs contrary to teachers' principles of fairness and dignity in the classroom; if she is concerned about such matters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22146/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the leadership of the two post primary teacher unions, the ASTI and TUI, reached an agreement with me on Junior Cycle reform. Our agreement was set out in our joint document "Junior Cycle Reform: Joint Statement on Principles and Implementation" published on the 22nd of May 2015. Under this agreement section 4.9 and 4.10 sets out the answer to the Deputy's question. "It is recognised that teachers of English are the first cohort of teachers to engage directly with the Junior Cycle reform and that they will make a very particular contribution to the successful introduction of the new curriculum and assessment arrangements. The feedback from these teachers of English to date makes clear that they have particular CPD needs and that significant adjustments are required to the first Classroom-Based Assessments for English to be completed in Spring 2016. In regard to the group of students currently in first year (in the 2014/15 school year), teachers and schools will have the option of having their students complete the first classroom-based component either in spring of 2016 (in second year) or early in autumn 2016 (in the beginning of third year). In view of the urgency of supporting these teachers in implementing the second year English course in the 2015/16 school year, immediate priority will be given to providing intensive CPD for this subject as well as whole-school CPD for Junior Cycle. The CPD programme for English will be informed by appropriate input from these teachers. The NCCA will specify a wider range of assessment options that will enable English teachers to ensure that the first Classroom-Based Assessment is manageable and appropriate to the learning needs of students".
