Joint TUIASTI Seminar with NCCA Junior Cycle Network
- Slides: 9
Joint TUI/ASTI Seminar with NCCA Junior Cycle Network Schools Saturday 29 th September, 2012. Dublin
Junior Cycle : Proposed New Framework SUBJECTS SHORT COURSES PLUs All Subjects Retained Schools Select Options 5 Priority Learning Units 100 hrs 250 hours 6 Developed by NCCA Others Locally Designed Developed by NCCA (Core – Irish, English, Maths Options –Selected by school) 240 hrs / 200 hrs Syllabi Developed by NCCA Qualification: Terminal Exam (60%) (Special Needs) Qualification: ------- Externally set/examined School Based Work (40%) Internal + External Moderation School Based Work (100%) Internal Moderation. School Based Work (100%) Internal + External Moderation
Junior Cycle : Proposed New Framework Subjects Short courses PLUs Address 24 Statements of Learning Incorporate Key Skills, Literacy and Numeracy Promote Integrated Learning National Qualification Level 3 (SEC) Cap of 8 Subjects or 7 Subjects + 2 Short Courses or 6 subjects + 4 Short Courses National Qualification Level 2 5 Priority Learning Units + 2 Short Courses
Junior Cycle Proposals Represent: • Radical shift in student experience and opportunities • Significant change to work practices and teacher responsibility • Possibilities and risks (curriculum options, elearning, eportfolios, workload, standards, administration, equity) which lead to: • Competing and complementary issues and interests
NCCA Network Activity • Schools as exploratory hubs • Design, test, troubleshoot, inform …. • Examine possible approaches to change • Identify practical issues/concerns/solutions • Provide clarification and evidence • Inform further discussion and development
Union Perspectives and Concerns • Teacher Workload – could escalate inordinately • Resources – current restructuring, additional? • Course Development (time, standards, validation…) • Assessment (standards, teacher involvement and expertise, time allocation, standards, monitoring…. . ) • Professional Development and Support (access, time, quality) • Planning Capacity and Time
Union Perspectives and Concerns • Timetabling capacity (to support curriculum options, assessment activity) • Contracted Curriculum, Specialisms, Centres of Excellence, Inter-school Competiveness • Truncated Opportunities for Students • Support Progression to Senior Cycle • Standard, Monitoring, Evaluation, Public Perception • Equity and Access
Teacher Unions • Recognise evolutionary nature of curriculum • See context for and timing of change as very important • Believe resources for effective implementation are a big challenge • Need system wide critique on possibilities/ pitfalls • Are open to network activity and experience shaping perspective • Support frank and respectful relationship with Network Schools
TUI & ASTI Contact Details TUI – Bernie Judge, Education and Research Officer Email: bjudge@tui. ie; phone: 01 - 4922588. ASTI – Moira Leydon, Assistant General Secretary Email: moira@asti. ie; phone: 01 – 6040169.
