Written answers
Wednesday, 22 January 2025
Department of Education and Skills
State Examinations
Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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648. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she plans to move the marking scheme for the Junior Certificate to grades at a 10% interval, similar to what currently applies for the Leaving Certificate. [1839/25]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Junior Cycle Framework (2015) incorporates a modernised curriculum across all subjects and a balanced range of assessment modes that provides a learner experience appropriate to the needs of the 21st century. It provides students with learning opportunities that strike a better balance between learning knowledge and developing a wide range of skills and thinking abilities.
The Junior Cycle involves a dual approach to assessment that supports student learning through regular classroom-based assessment conducted by teachers and through a State examination at the end of the three-year cycle. This dual approach reduces the focus on one terminal examination and increases the prominence given to classroom-based assessment and formative assessment. This change of emphasis enables teachers to provide really meaningful feedback that helps students to understand how their learning can be improved.
The implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle continues to be reviewed, in partnership with school leaders, teachers and other education partners.
As part of the process of review, the University of Limerick has been commissioned by the NCCA to conduct a longitudinal research study - Evaluating the implementation and impact of the introduction of the Framework for Junior Cycle in Irish post-primary schools.
This research began in late 2020 with interim reports published between October 2022 and December 2024.
The final report aims to reflect on the study in its entirety, drawing on relevant data and insights across the four years of the study.
It is anticipated that the final report will be published this year. This major study will inform any further developments at Junior Cycle.
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