new junior cycle framework for pcs
DESCRIPTION
A presentation on the Junior Cycle Framework for Portmarnock Community SchoolTRANSCRIPT
CHANGING THE WAY WE DO JUNIOR CYCLE EDUCATION
PORTMARNOCK COMMUNITY SCHOOLAUGUST 2012
New Junior Cycle Framework
Donal O' Mahony
Why change?
Changing the Junior Cycle student experience...from a dress rehearsal for the Leaving Certificate to a
learning experience in its own right...
Evidence base from the
NCCA’s own consultation processESRIPISA
All the educational partners are on-board to date...
Donal O' Mahony
From late August 2014 we will teach subjects and / or
short courses for the Junior Cycle
Donal O' Mahony
Central to the subjects and short-courses
24 Statements of Learning and 6 Key Skills
Continued emphasis on literacy and numeracy
Look at the handout...
That is the key message – 24 statements form the new core of learning...
Donal O' Mahony
Assessment
Students present evidence of learning in:
Eight subjectsORSeven subjects and two short coursesORSix subjects and four short courses
Evidence of learning must be presented in the subjects English, Irish and Maths.
Any other subject can be one of the six, seven, or eight...
Donal O' Mahony
Taught over Two Years
...the evidence of learning from First-year will not feature in the assessment for qualification (Read the ESRI research)
...whatever flexibility you want within First-year, as a transition from Primary to Secondary
Donal O' Mahony
Higher level?
The only subjects with Ordinary and Higher levels will
be Irish, English and Maths
No written exam will be longer than two hours
There will be five grading points (for subjects and
short courses)
Donal O' Mahony
National Framework of Qualifications
Award aligned with NFQ Level 2 for students with particular educational needs (centred around Priority Learning Units)
Award aligned with NFQ Level 3 will replace the existing Junior Certificate
The NFQ Level 3 is “...smaller than the Junior Certificate...” ...allows focus on “...learning, skills, innovation and creativity...”
Donal O' Mahony
The Subject Teacher – assessment – current thinking
60% of marks for coursework taught over Second and Third Year.
40% of marks for portfolio work (digital or otherwise) gathered over Second and Third Year – assignments, projects, case-studies, performances, practical-activities/tasks...
The SEC will set the exam for the 60%,
We will assess the 40% with SEC moderation
Donal O' Mahony
Starting?
Now...Some schools may have reduced the number of JC subjects this school year and started to develop short courses
At the latest... August 2014- students going into Fifth Class next week
Teachers, Parents, Students, the Board have all to be consulted about our start date...
Donal O' Mahony
Subjects
English has been announced as the first subject to be revised.
Existing junior cycle subjects will be reviewed and new specifications developed to reflect the new Framework for Junior Cycle.
They term ‘specification’ will replace what we previously called a ‘syllabus’ and will apply to both subjects and short courses.
Donal O' Mahony
Subjects
The subject specifications will be shorter
partly in response to concerns that existing syllabuses are in some cases just too extensive
to contribute to creating the space for the school to develop its junior cycle programme.
Donal O' Mahony
Subjects
Most new subject specifications will be designed for approximately 200 hours of learner engagement.
Specifications in the subjects English, Irish and Mathematics will continue to be designed with a minimum allocation of 240 hours in mind.
All existing subjects will be revised and their new, shortened specifications will be made available in advance of their introduction in the new junior cycle.
Subject content will remain familiar.
Donal O' Mahony
Short-courses
Short courses (100 hours approximately) will be less familiar
Both an NCCA template for particular short-courses and the opportunity for custom-built school courses
Assessment of short courses is school-based on a portfolioof work - assignments, projects, case-studies, performances,
practical-activities/tasks...
The school will issue the results to the SEC for inclusion onthe NFQ award...
Donal O' Mahony
Examples of short-courses
History – local oral history projectChinese language and culture Geography - Development educationWeb designP.E. - Sports Science (hurling / camogie focus)Home Economics – restaurant menu developmentArt - AnimationMusic – instrument tuitionEngineering – a course in roboticsMaterials Technology Wood – a wood design projectBusiness – personal financeIrish, English and Maths teachers may want to teach short -
courses
Donal O' Mahony
The Teacher
Generating and gathering evidence of learning
Judging and reporting evidence of learning
New report-card templates for communication with parents
Donal O' Mahony
What now?
You all received an invitation to join JC2.0, the JC Network
Look in on what is happening particularly under the tab, Resources and FAQ’s
Introducing Key SkillsThinking about Short CoursesProgramme Planning Consulting with your students
Donal O' Mahony
What now?
Management issues: subjects timetabling teachers, parents, students and the Board of Management
Evaluation of existing Junior Cycle: identification of strengths and challenges, what we want to keep...
Discussion amongst ourselves - to be on agenda for Subject meeting 4 – 5 PM Tues. 4th September
Looking at what other schools are doing...
Donal O' Mahony
What now?
Will we reduce the number of subjects, Junior Certificate students take, on entry, next year, 2013? Which ones? What short courses will we introduce?
Dr. Anne Looney
Donal O' Mahony
What now?
Subjects piloting aspects of short-courses
Short-course training by the NCCA – teachers in-service on 5th and 7th November
Thinking through Portfolio development
Report back to the NCCA on progress
Donal O' Mahony
Smith. E. 2006. Junior Cycle Education: Insights from a longitudinal study of students. NCCA:Dublin.
Frequently Asked Questions. JC2.0. Online: http://juniorcyclenetwork.ning.com/page/faq
Towards a Framework for Junior Cycle. NCCA: Dublin. 2011.
Donal O' Mahony
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