Preparing for the
Junior Cycle School Award
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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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Learning
• 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
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What’s the difference?
Access to a more varied curriculum
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Curriculum
• Subjects continue as the main curriculum components
• Schools can offer short courses and other learning experiences
• Subjects will be shorter
Level 2
Qualification
Business Studies
Classics
French
Digital Media
Geography
History
Home Economics
Irish
Italian
Jewish Studies
Subjects
German
Materials Technology (Wood)
Mathematics
Social, Personal and
Health Education
Chinese
Physical Education
Artistic Performance
Programming/Coding
Potential Short Courses
Civic, Social and Political
Education
English
And school developed
short courses
Communicating and
Literacy
Numeracy
Looking after myself
Priority Learning Units
Art Craft Design
Living in a community
Preparing for work
Other areas of learning
Such as…
Guidance
Music
Tutorial time
Religious Education
Choir
Science
Etc.
Skills
Metalwork
DEAR (Drop everything
and read)
Spanish
Technical Graphics
Technology
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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.
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Main features of the
Framework for Junior Cycle
Features of
Junior Cycle
Assessment
• 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
Main features of the
Framework for Junior Cycle
Supports for
Assessment
• 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
Qualifications
• 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
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Subject limit for qualification
Eight subjects
Nine subjects
Ten subjects
Or
7 subjects + 2 short
courses
Or
8 subjects + 2 short courses
Or
9 subjects + 2 short courses
Or
6 subjects and 4 short
courses
Or
7 subjects + 4 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)
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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
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Website
www.juniorcycle.ie
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?