Tánaiste launches consultation process on reform of junior cycle [education.ie]
- Published: 21 April 2010
The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Ms. Mary Coughlan, T.D., today launched a consultation process on reform of the junior cycle in second level schools. The consultation is being undertaken by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment ("NCCA"). The public consultation was launched at conference hosted by the Tánaiste, organised by the Council, and attended by teaching, school management, parent, higher education, media and industry representatives.
At the conference, the NCCA is presenting a discussion paper, Innovation and Identity: Ideas for a new Junior Cycle, which is available on the website www.ncca.ie. The paper sets out a range of possible directions for reform ranging from small to medium to significant levels of change. The objective of the consultation is to generate a debate in the coming months on the future shape of junior cycle education.
As part of the consultation process, the NCCA will also gather feedback from its close collaboration with a network of schools. Continuing analysis of international practice, together with a report of research into the use standardised testing at this level of the system in other countries, will also inform developments. No specific proposals will be made until the feedback from the consultation phase has been considered.
Full Story: www.education.ie
