1. Information for parents
An introduction to the junior cycle.

2. Orla video.

3. Why change is needed? Research highlights that some students:
NOT PROGRESSING IN FIRST YEAR.
DISENGAGING IN SECOND YEAR.
NOT DEVELOPING THeir PARTICULAR SKILLS AND INTERESTS.
JUNIOR CERTIFICATE TERMINAL EXAMINATION:
IS NO LONGER A HIGH STAKES EXAM – 90% of students progress onto leaving certificate.
HAS DRIVEN TEACHING STYLE – OVER FOCUSED ON EXAMS.
STUDENTS ARE STRESSED.

4. Why change assessment?
Assessment best WHEN ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNING IS THE NORM THROUGHOUT THE THREE YEARS..
ENABLE LEARNERS WITH THEIR TEACHER’S SUPPORT:
TO DISCUSS THEIR LEARNING AND BE CLEAR ABOUT OUTCOMES.
TO RECOGNISE BOTH GAPS IN THEIR LEARNING AND HOW IT CAN BE IMPROVED
TO DEVELOP CONFIDENCE IN THEIR OWN ABILITIES
TO BE MOTIVATED AND HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS THAT ARE REALISTIC
ASSESSMENT TO IMPORVE (NOT TO PROVE) LEARNING.

5. WHY CHANGE ASSESSMENT? CONT.
MOVE FOCUS FROM TERMINAL EXAM TO A QUALITY LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS.

6. Phasing in subjects. Sept. 2014, First certification in 2017 English
Science and business studies.
Sept. 2017, first certification in 2020
Irish, art, modern languages – french, spanish and german.

7. Phasing in subjects cont.
Sept. 2018, first certification 2021
History, home economics, music, geography and maths.
Sept. 2019, first certification 2022
Technology subjects and r.e.

8. PLANNING AND DESIGNING A JC PROGRAMME.
FRAMEWORKS:
8 PRINCIPLES. (on handout) in short – all students experience a high quality education, characterised by high expectations of learners and the pursuit of excellence..
24 STATEMENTS OF LEARNING – these describe what your son/daughter should know, understand and value having participated in junior cycle. Such as create and present artistic works and appreciate the process and skills involved, take initiative , be innovative and develop entrepreneurial skills.
8 KEY SKILLS – these permeate across the entire curriculum and include:
Being literate.
Managing themselves.
Staying well.

9. 8 key skills cont. Managing information and thinking. Being numerate.
Communicating.
Through engaging with the key skills student will:
Be more actively engaged with learning.
Take greater ownership of their learning.
Have a critical engagement with digital technology.
Be encouraged to problem solve and think creatively.

10. Junior cert to be delivered through:
SUBJECTS.
SHORT COURSES.
OTHER LEARNING EXPERIENCES.

11. SUBJECTS.
STUDENTS WILL STUDY A MINIMUM OF 8 SUBJECTS TO A MAXIMUM OF 10 SUBJECTS.
ALL SUBJECTS ARE BEING REVISED AND EACH ONE WILL HAVE ITS OWN SPECIFICATION REPLACING WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS A SYLLABUS.
EACH SPECIFICATION DESCRIBES THE LEARNING THAT TAKES PLACE AS PART OF THE STUDENT’S STUDY OF A SUBJECT IN JUNIOR CYCLE.
SCHOOL-WORK COMPONENT FOR ALL SUBJECTS COMPLETED IN Years 2 and 3 (generally 10% of overall marks but may vary across subjects).
Final assessment component (90% of marks).
An examination of no more than two hours.
Two levels for english, irish, maths. Common level for all other subjects.

12. Grades awarded. Final essessment: Distinction 90% - 100%
Higher merit 75% - 89%
Merit 55% - 74%
Achieved 40% - 54%
Not achieved 0% - 39%

13. Classroom based assessments.
One to be undertaken towards the end of second year.
The second to be undertaken in the first term of third year.
Examples – english (1) oral presentation {research and communication}, Subjects/English/Examples-of-Student-Work/Examples-of-Oral-Communication-(2nd- year) (2) the collection of the student’s texts {the development of their writing skills and their understanding of the writing process.} students will choose two pieces of their writing to submit for assessment along with plans, drafts and a reflection note for each. (they should choose the two pieces which they think represent their best work – any genre: descriptive, functional writing, narrative, poem, etc.)

14. Classroom based assessments cont.
Business studies: (1) Business in action {second year}, (2) presentation {third year}.
Science: (1) (2)

15. Awards for classroom based assessments.
Exceptional.
Above expectations.
In line with expectations.
Yet to meet expectations.
These are awarded by teachers in line with the features of quality as provided by the SEC and are awarded In consultation with subject department colleagues.

16. The assessment task.
Students complete a written assessment task in class to be submitted to the SEC for marking as part of the state-certified examination.
This will be allocated 10% of the marks used to determine the grade awarded by the sec.
The assessment task will assess students in different aspects of their learning depending on the subject being assessed.
The assessment task is linked to the second classroom based assessment in all subjects.

17. Example – english.
Students will engage with a short stimulus in written, audio or audio visual format to prepare for the task.
A written task which tests them in one or more of the following:
Their ability to outline their experience of compiling their collection of texts.
Their understanding and evaluation of that experience.
Their capacity to demonstrate and reflect on the skills they have developed.

18. SHORT COURSES.
IF A SCHOOL OFFERS SHORT COURSES A STUDENT CAN STUDY 9 SUBJECTS PLUS 2 SHORT COURSES OR 8 SUBJECTS AND 4 SHORT COURSES.
A SHORT COURSE IS DESIGNED FOR APPROXIMATELY 100 HOURS OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT ACROSS TWO OR THREE YEARS OF THE JUNIOR CYCLE.
SHORT COURSES INCLUDE: CIVIC, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL EDUCATION (cspe), PHYSICAL EDUCATION (pe) AND SOCIAL, PERSONAL AND Health education [sphe] (including relationship and sexuality education).
A school may develop their own short courses to meet their students’ needs over time.

19. Other learning experiences.
Students will have the opportunity to engage with a wide range of other learning experiences as part of their junior cycle programme and these will be recorded on the jcpa – junior cycle profile of achievement.
Other learning experiences play a critical role in ensuring that students are provided with a broad and balanced educational experience.
These learning experiences could include student participation in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities such as; science fair, school’s sporting activities, debating, musical performance.

20. Other learning experiences cont.
Specific learning opportunities that do not form part of subjects or short courses, such as; leadership training, activities relating to guidance, membership of school clubs or societies, membership of school’s student council.
Engagements that form part of the formal timetabled curriculum but not reported on in other sections of the JCPA, such as; engagement with the school’s own religious education programme, or elements of the PE, SPHE, CSPE curriculum.

21. Profile of achievement. jcpa
The jcpa will include the following:
State certified final examinations results.
Classroom based assessments – subjects.
Classroom based assessments – short courses.
Other areas of learning.
The jcpa will be issued in the autumn after third year.

22. More information. From ncca – www.JUNIORCYCLE.IE
STATE EXAMINATONS COMMISSION – ASSESSMENT RESOURCES