June 22nd 2011

Developments at Junior Cycle

Junior Cycle Development…so far

• Innovation and Identity discussion paper

• Consultation findings on www.ncca.ie

• Strong evidence base for change

• Commitment to junior cycle reform in programme

for government and by the Minister

• NCCA developing a new Framework for Junior Cycle2

Rationale for junior cycle development

Minister’s request and input to Council• Create the space for deeper learning and innovation in

schools• The forms of assessment for junior cycle and the scaling

back of the Junior Certificate• The role of key skills in junior cycle• Continuity with primary education

ESRI research on the experience of junior cycleBuild on previous review and look to the future

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How the World’s Most Improved School Systems Keep Getting Better

‘…improving systems generally spend more of their activity on improving how instruction is delivered than on changing the content of what is delivered.’

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How the World’s Most Improved School Systems Keep Getting Better

Rather, these systems achieve improvement by the center increasing

the responsibilities and flexibilities of schools and teachers to shape

instructional practice – one-third of the systems in the ‘good to great’

journey and just less than two-thirds of the systems in the ‘great to

excellent’ journey decentralize pedagogical rights to the middle layer

(e.g. districts) or schools.

McKinsey and Company

November 2010

http://www.mckinsey.com/ 5

A new Framework for Junior Cycle

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• A new way for students to encounter junior cycle

• All aspects at the service of learning and teaching

• Combination of strong framework for all with local

flexibility

• Junior Cycle’s own identity - the engaged learner

and future citizen

A new Framework for Junior Cycle?

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•Students making a greater connection with learning

•Improving the quality of learning that takes place

•Ensuring literacy, numeracy and key skills are embedded in the

learning

The focus is on...

A new Framework for Junior Cycle?

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•What a student will learn described in 35 statements of

essential learning across eight areas of learning

•The skills of literacy and numeracy and other key skills

embedded in areas of learning and the curriculum

Learning

Areas of learning

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Key Skills

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• Subjects and short courses continue to play an important role

• Schools enabled to develop some courses of their own

• Curriculum specifications that are smaller and less detailed

than at present

Curriculum

A new Framework for Junior Cycle?

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CSPE Geography History Jewish Studies Religious Education

Mathematics Science Technical Graphics Technology Materials Technology (Wood) Metalwork

SUBJECTS

Potential Short Courses

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• Assessment playing a major part in everyday learning over the

three years of junior cycle

• Students being more responsible for gathering and presenting

evidence of their learning

• Teachers judging, giving feedback, and reporting on that

evidence

Assessment

A new Framework for Junior Cycle?

• Two new qualifications

• Smaller qualifications with fewer curriculum components,

giving schools more space and time to spend on their junior

cycle programme, on literacy, numeracy and key skills

Qualifications

A new Framework for Junior Cycle?

Leading and supporting junior cycle change

• All schools heading in the same direction, to the same destination

• All schools move at the same time…but not necessarily at the same pace

• Clear plan and appropriate timeframe• Introducing changes on a phased basis• Developmental approach taken to working with

teachers and schools• Identify the supports and resources needed

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Leading and supporting change

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Changing assessment

arrangements/practices

What really matters?

An entitlement curriculum which while not giving an inch on standards in literacy and numeracy

is broad, balanced and rich;

which engages, excites and empowers;

which attends to children’s present as well as their future needs;

which addresses the condition of society and the wider world;

and is taught to the highest possible standard.

Robin Alexander, Cambridge Primary Review19