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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

Uni

ts

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

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?