Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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298. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will conduct a review of the common level junior cycle science course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31278/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) will carry out a review of Science in Q3 2019, as this is when the first cohort of students will have completed the course.

The new Framework for Junior Cycle presents a dual approach to assessment that supports student learning over the three years of the junior cycle and also measures achievement at the end of those years.  The approach reduces the focus on one final examination and provides for formative assessment through classroom based assessments.

This change of emphasis arises from an acknowledgement that students learn best when teachers provide feedback that helps the student to understand how their learning can be improved.

The learning experiences provided in Junior Cycle aim to help all students achieve their potential regardless of their abilities and interests.

Students mature at different rates. Keeping subjects at a common level ensures that all students are treated fairly and impartially and that students are not channelled into a lower level of learning at too early a stage of their post-primary education.