Why Junior Cycle reform is good news for students with special needs

John HammondNCCA

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Main features of the Framework for Junior Cycle

• Greater autonomy and flexibility for schools• Opportunity to review the school’s junior cycle

programme• Statements of Learning – now further developed• Focus on skills• Greater curriculum variety – local curriculum

development

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Curriculum Components

Subjects Short Courses

Priority Learning

Units

Other learning

experiences

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Subject Phases

2014-2015English

2015-2016Gaeilge

Business StudiesScience

2016-2017Art, Craft, Design

Modern LanguagesHome Economics

MusicGeography

2017-2018Mathematics

Technology SubjectsReligious Education

Jewish StudiesClassicsHistory

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Chinese Language and Culture

Civic, Social and Political Education

Social, Personal and Health Education

Physical Education Artistic Performance

Programming and Coding

A Personal Project: Caring for Animals

Digital Media Literacy

Features of the Framework for Junior Cycle

• The subject limit revisited – less concern about the ‘future’ of specific subjects

• New system of school-based assessment and reporting at the heart of junior cycle

• New qualifications

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Quality Assurance• NCCA curriculum and assessment specifications• Expectations for learners and examples of

student work• Extensive professional development • Assessment Toolkit and materials• Provision for Internal moderation• SEC exams in English, Gaeilge and mathematics• DES monitoring of assessment results

Why Junior Cycle reform is good for students with special needs!

1. Because the Framework is for ALL2. Because curriculum can be more customised3. Because assessment is FOR learning4. Because reporting is improved5. Because Level 2 learning achievement is

recognised

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Feature

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

2018/19

2019/20

New Framework in schools

Planning

1st year students

1st and 2nd year students

All junior cycle students

Introduction of subjects

English

Phase 2

Phase 3

Phase 4

Junior cycle certification

Junior Certificate as usual

School Certificate results

AND Junior Certificate results

School

Certificate only

Supports

Professional Development and Programme Support

Review/ Evaluation

www.juniorcycle.ie

Quality assuring assessment

• NCCA develops specifications• Expectation for learners and examples of

student work• Professional development on assessment• Assessment Toolkit and materials• Internal moderation• SEC exams in English, Gaeilge and mathematics• Assessment results monitored