Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 January 2017
76. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the junior cycle profile of achievement will be different to the junior certificate; if it will be issued to students at the same time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3710/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA phased implementation of the new Junior Cycle Programme commenced in schools in September 2014. One subject was introduced in 2014 - English. Two further subjects commenced in September 2016 - Business Studies and Science. The 'Framework for Junior Cycle 2015', published by my Department in August 2015, sets out the key changes under the new programme which includes a new award for students - the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA). During the years when students are studying subjects for which new specifications have been provided alongside existing Junior Certificate subjects, the results of the latter will be included in the JCPA. The format of the JCPA will evolve as the various phases of junior cycle reform are rolled out. The Junior Certificate will no longer be issued by the State Examinations Commission (SEC). However, the SEC will continue to issue provisional examination results to each examination student in September as in previous years.
Arrangements for 2017 and thereafter
Students who commenced first year in September 2014 (and thereafter) and who complete their Junior Cycle Programme in 2017 (and thereafter), will receive a Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) following completion of the Junior Cycle Programme.
The JCPA will differ from the Junior Certificate in a number of ways: 1) It is a report rather than a certificate, 2) It is awarded by the school, 3) It reports on a much wider range of student achievements over the 3 years of Junior Cycle including Subjects, Short Courses and Other Areas of Learning. Priority Learning Units will also be reported where the student has studied short courses at Level 2, and 4) Grades are no longer used as descriptors of achievement in State examinations
