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

Extensive quality assurance measures will be included in the new junior cycle. These include subject specifications with clear learning outcomes and samples of student work outlining the standards expected; an assessment and moderation toolkit; a junior cycle for teachers team which will provide continuous professional development programmes for teachers, principals and deputy principals in educational assessment and moderation; and the introduction of standardised tests for all students in English reading, mathematics and science, and in Irish reading for Irish-medium schools.

The State Examinations Commission will set and mark the final examinations in English, Irish and mathematics until such time as the new assessment methodologies are embedded. The commission will provide the final papers and marking schemes for the other 18 subjects which teachers will use. School moderation will provide for standardisation. The results awarded by schools to their students will be monitored by the Department and anomalies will be highlighted and acted upon. A dedicated website, www.juniorcycle.ie, can be used by parents, teachers and students to access resources.

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