1. Junior Cycle
Information Evening

2. Framework for Junior Cycle
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.”
Framework for Junior Cycle

3. Framework for Junior Cycle
Each school’s programme:
- will be guided by the twenty-four statements of learning, eight principles and eight key skills that are at the core of the new Junior Cycle
- will encompass learning in subjects or a combination of subjects and short courses - will include an area of learning entitled Wellbeing - will provide a range of other learning experiences - may include priority learning units (PLUs) that will help to provide a junior cycle programme that is appropriate to the needs of particular students with significant special educational needs.

6. The Principles For Junior Cycle Education
Engagement
and
participation
Creativity
innovation
Choice
and flexibility
Continuity
and development
Quality
Wellbeing
Inclusive education
Learning to learn

7. Key Skills Literacy Numeracy Communicating Managing myself
Staying well
Managing information & thinking
Being creative
Working with others

8. Subjects PHASE 1 ENGLISH Introduced to 1st years in 2014-2015
For certification in autumn 2017
PHASE 2
SCIENCE AND BUSINESS STUDIES
Introduced to 1st years in
For certification in autumn 2019
PHASE 3
IRISH, MODERN LANGUAGES AND ART,
CRAFT & DESIGN
Introduced to 1st years in
For certification in autumn 2020
Irish, English & Maths - compulsory – minimum 240 hours- assessed at Higher and Ordinary Level
All other subjects are optional and are designed for a minimum of 200 hours – assessed at Common Level
PHASE 4
MATHS, HOME ECONOMICS, HISTORY,
MUSIC AND GEOGRAPHY
Introduced to 1st years in
For certification in autumn 2021
PHASE 5
TECHNOLOGY SUBJECTS, RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION, JEWISH STUDIES AND CLASSICS
Introduced to 1st years in
For certification in autumn 2022

9. Wellbeing
From 2017 Wellbeing will incorporate learning traditionally included in PE, SPHE and CSPE.
A school may also choose to include other areas in their provision for Wellbeing, e.g. Guidance.
Up to 400 hours will be available for learning in the area of Wellbeing commencing with a minimum of 300 hours of timetabled engagement from 2017 and moving to the full complement of time as the new junior cycle is fully implemented in schools.

10. Assessment A written Assessment Task that will
be based on the second Classroom-
Based Assessment, will be submitted to
the SEC for marking along with the
state-certified examination. The
written Assessment Task may require
the student to demonstrate an
understanding of the knowledge and
skills developed during the second
Classroom-Based Assessment.
An externally assessed, state-certified
examination for all subjects at the end
of third year. (2 hours)
There will be a range of assessment
approaches to complement learning
within subjects
Ongoing assessments including routine
teacher-designed tasks and tests
Two Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) one conducted in second year and one conducted in third year (Common Level)

11. CBAs
CBAs are a pause in the students’ learning that both supports and consolidates their learning. The grade at the end of the three years is no longer the only marker of your daughter’s achievements. The CBAs will allow your daughter to work over a period of time supported by the feedback from their teachers and others, ensuring that they can produce their best work.
What is important for them in the CBA experience, is what they have actually learned about themselves throughout the CBA experience. Here, it is important for your daughter to reflect upon how it has helped them to engage with the subject and their personal growth while examining the feedback as a tool to enable them to progress further in the future.

12. CBAs
The CBAs will be reported on in the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) using the following descriptors:
Exceptional
Above Expectations
In Line with Expectations
Yet to Meet Expectations
How are CBAs reported on?
• The Junior Cycle class will receive their Junior Certificate results in the month of September when they are in Transition Year.
• The results of these CBAs will be reported on in the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) which is issued by December.

13. Key Dates 2018/2019 – student cohort 2017-2020 2nd Year students

16. Reporting & Certification
A new reporting system was introduced in autumn 2017
NEW GRADE STRUCTURE
Distinction (90% to 100%).
Higher Merit (75% to 89%)
Merit (55% to 74%)
Achieved (40% to 54%)
Partially Achieved (20% to 39%)
Not Graded (0% to 19%)

17. JUNIOR CYCLE PROFILE OF ACHIEVEMENT (JCPA)

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