The New Junior Cycle – An Introduction

Starting in September, your son/daughter will do the current Junior Certificate exam in all subjects except English and Science. CSPE is to become a short course. Those exams will follow the same format as currently exists, with results released in September 2018

In English and Science, however, they will be examined according to the new Junior Cycle format. Students will receive the Junior Cycle Student Award in autumn 2018 assessing their performance in English and Science. This information is the most current available but is under discussion

This group will be examined under the new Junior Cycle format Other subjects will move to the new format in the years to come, but for your son/daughter, English and Science will be the only 2 subjects following the new format over their three years

Why change to the new Junior Cycle format?

ESRI Research showed the following -Large minority of these students disengaging -This disengagement not just a phase - Negative impact of teaching to the test on teaching methodologies -Narrow range of assessment activity -Too much rote learning

PISA survey results -A need to focus on literacy and numeracy -A need for connections and progression

In both English and Science, one of the big changes is that students will now be taught key skills in their subject. Many teachers have taught a lot of the key skills indirectly over the years, but now the curriculum is being set up in a way to promote these skills as much as possible

The key skills

In recent months, the staff have begun to work on incorporating the first of these key skills into all subject department plans. This will ensure that not only are the key skills taught in English and Science, but that staff can begin to teach & promote them in all subjects for next year’s first year students

Why are key skills so important?

- Students are more engaged - Learning is more effective - Students are aware of themselves as learners - Students think critically for themselves 7e3 7e3

What are the main differences between English and Science and all other subjects next year? -It is proposed that their certification at the end of the process will be different -It is proposed that they will be assessed differently at the end of their three year cycle. 40% of their marks will be allocated for Continuous Assessment. This 40% will be spread across second & third year -The remaining 60% will be assessed by one written paper in June This will be linked to students engagement with texts in 2nd & 3 rd year

All their other subjects will follow the current Junior Certificate model