Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 274: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if an attempt has been made to introduce a more continually assessed system into schools. [5913/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Assessment for both the junior and leaving certificates is currently conducted by the State Examinations Commission in a variety of ways. While all subjects are assessed by means of a terminal written examination, the use of additional modes of assessment which are completed in advance of the June examinations is increasing. For example, the revised junior certificate science syllabus which will be examined for the first time in 2006 requires students to carry out practical course work prior to the written paper which will account for 35% of the total marks.

For the leaving certificate, assessment of the languages Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Japanese includes an oral examination. In agricultural science, agricultural economics, engineering and construction studies students complete a project while, in the case of the latter two subjects they also sit a practical examination in May. The assessment of art also includes separate practical components. Music has an aural test and a practical performance test in addition to the written paper and, in some cases, depending on the elective chosen, an additional written paper or portfolio. There are also course work elements in home economics, religious education and link modules of the leaving certificate vocational programme.

In the revised history and geography syllabi for leaving certificate which will be examined for the first time in 2006, 20% of total marks will be allocated to a research study and a geographical investigation, respectively. Candidates will complete these in advance of the terminal written examinations.

In the leaving certificate applied programme, assessment takes place over two years. Credits are awarded for the satisfactory completion of modules, the performance of student tasks and performance in the written terminal examinations. Final examinations count for 34% of the overall mark.

In the context of its proposals for senior cycle reform, I have asked the NCCA to consider the best way of examining each subject in future. I am anxious that all subjects are examined in a way that is appropriate to their content and objectives, while maintaining the integrity and fairness of the examination system.