Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 July 2018
210. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if research has been carried out on providing a continuous assessment proportion to the leaving certificate; and if so, if same will be provided. [31137/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) advises my Department in relation to the development of the curriculum and of assessment methodologies in schools. The NCCA have commenced a review of senior cycle programmes and vocational pathways with a view to recommending areas for development. The review commenced with the publication of a NCCA commissioned study on Upper Secondary Education in Nine Jurisdictions: Overview Report (2018). The report, in addition to other areas, sets out the approach taken to assessment, reporting and certification at upper secondary level across nine jurisdictions internationally. In relation to assessment and reporting, it concludes that most countries use a combination of external and internal assessment at this stage of education, with internal (school-based) arrangements featuring quite prominently in vocational, as opposed to academic, pathways, especially as curricula and systems at this level become more credit-based, with credits being used as a basis for student progression into further and higher education.
The review of senior cycle offers those working in Irish education and the general public an opportunity to contribute to building a shared vision for senior cycle. Assessment, reporting and certification will be one of the key themes discussed by stakeholders, and by students, teachers, management and parents in the 40 schools involved in the consultation cycles used for the review. The key task in this area of the review is to ensure that the approaches taken to assessment and the methods used are consistent with, and fit, the aims of senior cycle and the curriculum goals and content of its courses and subjects; all in the interest of contributing to the learning progress and achievements of students.
Further information in relation to the review of senior cycle, including the above mentioned report, is available on the NCCA website at https://www.ncca.ie/en/senior-cycle/senior-cycle-review
