Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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16. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the implementation of junior cycle reform; the level of participation of teachers in training for the new curriculum and assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43880/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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In September 2014 implementation of the Junior Cycle commenced with a new specification in English and the availability of a number of short courses. The 2015 Junior Cycle Framework was published in August 2015. Agreement was reached with the leadership of the two unions in May 2015 on revised reform proposals and on supporting implementation resources in July 2015.Following a ballot of members in September, these proposals were accepted by members of TUI and rejected by members of ASTI.

A comprehensive professional development programme to support Junior Cycle is currently being rolled out. This includes seminars for school leaders, whole-school CPD, subject-specific seminars, teacher-led CPD and school visits. Whole school CPD is being implemented on a continuous basis. To date in 2015/26, 30 schools have engaged in whole school CPD, with a total attendance of 1,163 teachers.

482 school leaders have to date been invited to CPD, of whom 261 attended. 900 teachers of English have to date been invited to CPD, of whom 682 attended.

TUI members are participating in the CPD programme following the outcome of their union ballot. The ASTI has recently engaged in a consultative process with its members on the Junior Cycle proposals following the outcome of their ballot.