Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will defend the integrity of the junior certificate by having external, fair and objective assessment for certification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16879/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I have accepted Dr Pauric Travers' revised and clarified proposal of 23rd February as the basis for agreement on the implementation of Junior Cycle reform.

Under the proposal for reform put forward by Dr Travers, teachers are now no longer being asked to assess their own students for State certification purposes. This addresses the unions' stated core objection to the previous reform proposals.

His proposal creates a clear distinction between the State certified terminal examination, which will continue to be run by the State Examinations Commission, and school based assessment, which will be separately conducted by teachers and reported on directly by schools to parents.

We must accept that State Examinations cannot provide information about the considerable range of skills and abilities that we want to encourage and reward in our young people. This dual approach to assessment at junior cycle will give a more balanced view of students' achievements.

The reform opens recognition of different forms of assessment.

Some elements of assessment will happen at school level every day between the teacher and their students. Others will be reported more formally to parents and students at designated times, while still others will happen through the final State examination.

In relation to school based assessment, all that teachers are being asked to do, for any subject, is to judge a student's performance on a maximum of two events and to report these judgements to parents and students.

The greatest benefits for students' learning occur when teachers and students provide really effective feedback to each other.

Giving students meaningful feedback about their learning is essential, if learning is to be effective.

This two way relationship, between the student and their teacher, has to be nurtured throughout the three years of junior cycle.

The Travers document recognises that teachers need to be supported in carrying out this assessment role. I fully endorse that.

Teachers will be supported to ensure that their judgements are in line with national standards.