Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I published the framework for the junior cycle on 4 October. All schools are to develop their junior cycle programme mindful of the principles, key skills and the 24 statements of learning. Subjects, short courses and, where relevant, priority learning units will be developed according to agreed specifications. The framework includes a number of measures to support and quality assure assessment across the three years of the junior cycle.

There will be two particular supports for reporting on student learning achievements and outcomes. New report card templates will be made available. In addition, to support a teacher's evaluation of their students' learning, the specifications will include examples of student work that illustrate the standard of work expected from different kinds of students at different stages of junior cycle. This will be augmented by the resources within the NCCA's assessment and moderation toolkit.

I believe parents will strongly support this system once they see how much additional information they will receive about their child's educational and personal development. Furthermore, I remind the Deputy that we are moving away from the high-stakes exam environment which has been the key driver of rote learning in the current junior certificate examination.

I plan to introduce standardised testing in second year for all schools in English reading, mathematics and science and in Irish reading for Irish medium schools. These new tests will provide a good independent indicator of student progress in the middle of the junior cycle programme.

A comprehensive professional development service will be provided, from the academic year from 2013 to 2014, for teachers, principals and deputy principals. Last week, I announced that Dr. Pádraig Kirk, the former CEO of County Louth VEC, will be the director of this dedicated service.

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