Mr. John Hammond:

At the outset ,and when the discussion was taking place, we made our position very clear. I am sure when it comes up for review we will also make our position clear. The other area raised was assessment at leaving certificate level, in particular in art. I do not think the issue is what is assessed or how it is assessed because there is a very good fit between the nature of the assessment components used in art and music and the nature of the course. There is a large emphasis on practicals, for example, in both subjects.

The point was probably being made on the introduction of changes to the grading system at leaving certificate level last year. The only important context to provide in regard to that is that it was intended to address some of the difficulties which have frequently been voiced in terms of the experience of the leaving certificate within schools. I am speaking in regard to predictability, teaching to the test, rote learning and the backwash effect which a highly calibrated 14-point grading system would have on teaching and learning within classrooms. The idea of reducing the number of grades and grading points was to try to address some of those issues. The system is in the first year of its introduction. The NCCA has commissioned research on the impact of the changes which have been made to the grading system and we will have more insight on that in September when the next round of examination results come through.