Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The assessment of skills in spoken Irish forms an integral component of the overall language learning experience at Junior Cycle and occurs in a number of ways. Students' oral language skills are formally assessed through Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs), the second of which is entirely based on students’ oral language competence. The CBA is linked to ongoing classroom exchanges and represents a more authentic reflection of students’ interests and competence levels in Irish. Importantly, the oral skills of all students as assessed in CBAs are formally reported upon in each students’ Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement. Unlike the previous reporting format in which candidates receive one overall grade based on their achievement in Irish in the Junior Certificate, whether they undertook the optional oral or not, the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement allows students’ achievement in the CBAs to be recorded independently of the result in the state-certified examination.

The Deputy may wish to note that the previous oral examination in the Junior Certificate was optional and was taken by approximately 40% of students, and was generally assessed by their teachers. The current assessment arrangements on the other hand require all students to engage in an assessment of their oral skills through the CBA.

As CBAs are an integral part of teaching and learning in Junior Cycle, costs associated with these are not separately identifiable.

The Deputy’s question has also been referred to the SEC for any further direct response.