Information for Parents Junior Cycle Reform Information for Parents

Agenda! The Vision Structure of the Junior Cycle What subjects will my son/ daughter be studying? Assessment & Reporting Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement Question & Answers

29/03/2017 The Vision “Junior cycle places students at the centre of the educational experience, enabling them to actively participate in their communities and in society and to be resourceful and confident learners in all aspects and stages of their lives.”

Auto Animated Version 2011 Literacy and numeracy for learning and life Connecting primary and secondary A purposeful second year Ongoing assessment to support learning Why the need to change?

Structure of the Junior Cycle Assessment and Reporting C U R I L M Subjects Level 2 Learning Programmes Wellbeing Short Courses Other Learning Experiences 8 Key Skills 24 Statements of Learning 8 Principles

Learning to Learn Wellbeing Choice and Flexibility These principles will help structure our subject choices, the introduction of short courses, the development of the Wellbeing programme The Principles of Junior Cycle Education Inclusive Education Quality Continuity and Development Creativity and Innovation Engagement and Participation

The Subject Choices

Key Skills will offer…. Life long skills to face everyday situations challenges More engaging learning experience Provide a solid foundation for further study An opportunity to demonstrate a variety of skills rather than just paper and pen!

What is the purpose of assessment in Junior Cycle?

Assessment in the Junior Cycle Formative assessment, complemented by summative assessment, will be a key feature of the new Junior Cycle Framework for Junior Level 2 Learning Programmes (L2LPs) Classroom Based Assessments including short courses Wellbeing State certified examinations Other areas of learning (inclusive of the Assessment Task)

Changes in Assessment Assessment will focus on effective feedback Greater variety of assessment Teachers talking to teachers about assessment Setting & achieving personal goals in their own work Identifying what to do next to improve Redrafting & correcting their own work with guidance

How will these changes be experienced?

Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) 1 CBA in Short Course 2 CBA in Full Course- 2nd sent to SEC for HE/Art/Technology/Music 1 AT- not in practical subjects!! Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) provide students with opportunities to demonstrate their learning and understanding in a way that formal pen and paper examinations cannot focus on the processes involved in the learning and not just the end product Students will be given developmental feedback that will help them move their learning forward All students can achieve success what ever that may look like for each student

Classroom-Based Assessments 27/03/2017 The Grading System State Examinations Distinction 95+ Higher Merit 75-95% Merit 55-75% Achieved 40-55% Yet to be 20-40% achieved Not Graded <20% Classroom-Based Assessments Exceptional Above expectations In line with expectations Yet to meet expectations

English Science Business Irish French & German Maths Art Home Ec Music Geography History Technology

JUNIOR CYCLE PROFILE OF ACHIEVEMENT: THE END RESULT CBA RESULTS SEC EXAM RESULTS ACHIEVEMENT IN WELLBEING ACHIEVEMENT IN OTHER AREAS OF LEARNING