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1 Preparing for the Junior Cycle School Award
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Preparing for the Junior Cycle School Award
Aim of this workshop
• To gain clarity regarding changes to junior cycle
• To consider how our school can get started in planning and implementing the change
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Presentation slides• Why change?• What’s different about junior cycle?• What do you see as the opportunities and
challenges for our school?• How can we get started?
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Why change?
• ESRI research - evidence base for junior cycle review
• 1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year
• nature of engagement
• Request for advice from Minister and DES
• Innovation and Identity- Ideas for a New Junior Cycle
(2010) discussion paper
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And of course, PISA…
• A need to focus on literacy and numeracy
• A need for connections and progression
• Student resilience and persistence
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What’s the difference?
• A Framework – not rules!
• Greater flexibility and autonomy for schools
• Clarity on junior cycle learning – a different kind of core
• Focus on the programme as well as the exam
• Access to a more varied curriculum/curriculum development
• Teachers in closer relationship with assessment
• Improved feedback, reporting and modern qualifications
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What’s the difference?
A Framework – not rules!
Greater flexibility and autonomy for
schools!
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What’s the difference?
Clarity on junior cycle learning – a
different kind of CORE!
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• What a student will learn is described in
24 statements of learning
• The skills of literacy and numeracy and other key skills
embedded in learning and the curriculum
Learning
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What’s the difference?
Access to a more varied curriculum
• Subjects continue as the main curriculum components
• Schools can offer short courses and other learning experiences
• Subjects will be shorter
Curriculum
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Prio
rity
Lear
ning
U
nits
Pote
ntial
Sho
rt C
ours
es
Skill
s
Subj
ects
Art Craft Design Business Studies ClassicsEnglish French Geography German History Home Economics Irish Italian Jewish Studies Materials Technology (Wood) Mathematics MetalworkMusicReligious EducationScience SpanishTechnical Graphics Technology
Civic, Social and Political EducationDigital Media Social, Personal and Health EducationChinesePhysical EducationArtistic Performance Programming/CodingAnd school developed short courses
Level 2 Qualification
Communicating and Literacy Numeracy Looking after myself Living in a community Preparing for work
Other areas of learning Such as… GuidanceDEAR (Drop everything and read)Tutorial timeChoirEtc.
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Phasing of new subjects in JCSA
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What’s the difference?
Assessment closer to learning and
assessment supporting learning.
Main features of the Framework for Junior Cycle
• Move towards school-based assessment• Mostly formative but linked to summative• Continual feedback to students on how to
progress learning and performance• Based on clear outcomes-based
specifications and expectations for learners
• Annotated examples of student work illustrate those expectations
Features of Junior Cycle Assessment
Main features of the Framework for Junior Cycle
• Clear specification of assessment tasks for the School Work Component
• Features of quality used to assess those tasks also set out (grade by grade)
• Process of school-focused moderation• Toolkit of assessment materials and guidance• Professional development and other practical
supports• Some State Examinations retained and Final
Assessment in all subjects• DES monitors assessment results
Supports for
Assessment
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• Two qualifications – Level 3 and Level 2
• Reduced number of subjects included in qualification
• Smaller qualifications, giving schools more flexibility
and time to spend on deeper learning and on literacy,
numeracy and key skills
Qualifications
Subject limit for qualification
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Eight subjects
Or 7 subjects + 2 short courses
Or 6 subjects and 4 short courses
Nine subjects
Or8 subjects + 2 short courses
Or 7 subjects + 4 short courses
Ten subjects
Or 9 subjects + 2 short courses
Or 8 subjects + 4 short courses
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Features of Level 2 Learning Programmes
• Defined target group, range of settings• Based around Priority Learning Units (250hrs)
• Communicating and literacy• Numeracy• Personal care• Living in a community• Preparing for working life
• PLUs set out in elements and learning outcomes – a learning menu
• School-based assessment
In small groups discuss• What do you see as the opportunities that a new
junior cycle will present to your school?
• What do you see as the main challenge and how can this be overcome?
