Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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163. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will explain the rationale behind the removal of foundation level maths from the junior certificate cycle. [9013/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In July 2015, the Minister for Education and Skills published the Framework for Junior Cycle 2015. Implementation of the new Junior Cycle was done on a phased basis, and commenced in September 2014, with the introduction of English for first year students. By 2019, all subject specifications had been introduced, with all subjects in the 2022 examinations being assessed under the new specifications.

For the level 3 programme, the level taken by the majority of Junior Cycle students, engagement with course specifications is at a common level in most instances. This has the advantage of ensuring that students are not directed into a particular level of learning at too early a stage in their academic and personal development. This approach enables students to have the experience and aspiration to achieve to their highest possible level so that they have greater options available to them at Senior Cycle, including studying at higher level in the Leaving Certificate examination.

Mathematics, along with Irish and English, are exemptions to this. As a central part of the Junior Cycle programme for all students, these subjects are offered at two levels, higher and ordinary. This is reflected in the externally assessed state-certified examination. This approach is consistent with aims and targets concerning Literacy and Numeracy. Classroom-Based Assessments in second year and in third year are set at a common level.

While the Framework for Junior Cycle is in the relatively early stages of its introduction the reception and impact of the new courses being studied, and their assessment, is subject to review and evaluation. An ‘early insights’ study is conducted on each newly-introduced subject specification after the first two cohorts of students have completed the course. The Junior Cycle Mathematics specification was introduced in phase four of the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle in September 2018. Carrying out an 'early insights' study has been delayed by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on teaching and learning in Irish schools. The new Junior Cycle Mathematics specification was only examined for the first time in 2022 and it is anticipated that an early insights report will be initiated in the fourth quarter of this year.

Further to this internal NCCA research, a team of independent researchers from the School of Education at the University of Limerick was commissioned by NCCA to explore the implementation and impact of the Framework for Junior Cycle, 2015. It is a mixed methods, multi-dimensional longitudinal research study, exploring the experiences of schools over a period of 4 years and the first report of this study was published by the NCCA in October last year. Findings from this research will inform NCCA’s ongoing work with the Board for Junior Cycle and Council to support schools’ implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle.