Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2020
242. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if full marks for oral Irish and music still apply in view of the fact that predictive grades have been announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6210/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen it was thought possible to hold written examinations but not orals or music performance tests, 100% marks were awarded for the cancelled orals and performance tests. Awarding 100% for orals and music performance tests in the calculated grade system would not be fair to students. Calculated grades are the best way of getting an accurate estimation of what a student would have achieved across all components of their examination.
Teachers are best placed to make a balanced judgement about what the candidate’s overall performance and grade across all aspects of the subject including orals would have been. This means the calculated grade will be as close to the outcome of the traditional Leaving Certificate as possible and comparable to the Leaving Certificate grades any other year.
Teachers of languages will assess the student’s oral performance as well as their written skills to come to an estimated mark for each student. It was never intended to offer 100% for all practical or project work. Detailed guidance to assist teachers in formulating the estimated grade for each student will issue shortly and will address these components.
