Written answers

Wednesday, 1 March 2017

Department of Education and Skills

State Examinations

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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186. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to mitigate the impact of the proposed strike action by the ASTI on students sitting their leaving certificate and junior certificate examinations; the contingency plans and alternative arrangements he has in place for leaving certificate and junior certificate examination students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10764/17]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has responsibility for the administration of the Final Examinations that form part of the assessment procedures for Junior Cycle. The SEC has provided reassurance in relation to concerns that some students may not have opportunities to complete all elements of the SEC’s Junior Cycle Final Examination, in English, in 2017. The Examination in English comprises an Assessment Task, undertaken in schools, which is worth 10% of the available marks and a Final Examination, in June 2017, representing 90% of the marks. Both elements are marked externally by the SEC.

Schools were advised of a second window for the completion of the second Classroom Based Assessment (CBA) and the Assessment Task (AT) in English. The new window will be in the week beginning 24 April 2017.

The SEC will shortly provide further guidance to schools regarding the completion of the Assessment Task. The SEC has assured parents and students that this guidance to schools will make clear that all their students will have an opportunity to undertake the AT, and in this way to complete all elements that are marked by SEC within the Junior Cycle Final Examination.

The class teacher role, in facilitating students to the complete the Assessment Task, is to engage with their students in relation to stimulus material and questions (provided by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment), and then to supervise the class in completing the SEC-provided booklet. Class teachers have no role in marking the Assessment Task.

I welcome the reassurance provided by the State Examinations Commission on this issue and I am satisfied that all students will have the opportunity to complete the Assessment Task and Final Examination.

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