The New Junior Cycle An Introduction Starting in

The New Junior Cycle – An Introduction

Starting in September, your son/daughter will do the current Junior Certificate exam in all subjects except English, Science and Business Studies. CSPE is to become a short course. Those exams will follow the same format as currently exists, with results released in September 2019

In English, Science and Business Studies, however, they will be examined according to the new Junior Cycle format. Students will receive the Junior Cycle Student Award in autumn 2019 assessing their performance in these subjects.

These 3 subjects will be examined under the new Junior Cycle format Other subjects will move to the new format in the years to come, but for your son/daughter, only 3 subjects will follow the new format over their three years

Why change to the new Junior Cycle format?

ESRI Research showed the following -Large minority of these students disengaging -This disengagement not just a phase - Negative impact of teaching to the test on teaching methodologies -Narrow range of assessment activity -Too much rote learning

PISA survey results -A need to focus on literacy and numeracy -A need for connections and progression

In English, Science and Business Studies, one of the big changes is that students will now be taught key skills in their subject. Many teachers have taught a lot of the key skills indirectly over the years, but now the curriculum is being set up in a way to promote these skills as much as possible

The key skills

In recent months, the staff have begun inservice on incorporating the key skills into all subject department plans. This will ensure that the key skills can be taught & promoted all subjects for next year’s first year students

Why are key skills so important?

- Students are more engaged - Learning is more effective - Students are aware of themselves as learners - Students think critically for themselves http: //vimeo. com/ncca/review/16471534/a 463328 7 e 3

What are the main differences between English, Science and Business Studies to all other subjects next year? - It is proposed that their certification at the end of the process will be different - It is proposed that they will be assessed differently at the end of their three year cycle. 10% of their marks will be allocated for classroom based Assessment. - The remaining 90% will be assessed by one written paper in June 2019. This will be linked to students engagement with texts in 1 st, 2 nd & 3 rd year

All their other subjects will follow the current Junior Certificate model