Curriculum: Issues and Developments at National Level

1. Curriculum: Issues and Developments at National Level Peter Johnson Director, Curriculum and Assessment 23rd August 2006

2. 2 Role of NCCA, how we �do� curriculum to advise the Minister of Education on curriculum and assessment in early childhood, primary and post-primary schools�

3. 3 Partnership Model: representation on course committees ASTI (2) TUI (2) JMB ACCS Subject Association IVEA IUA HETAC DES SEC

4. 4 Curriculum development:the Netherlands experience 1999 review by Inspectorate concluded that: the curriculum was overloaded and fragmented only about 60% of the attainment targets were being met teachers were working harder and harder, while students were working less 2000 Ministerial Commission set up to revise the curriculum attainment targets for basic education reduced from 260 to 58 for 1st and 2nd year generic to encourage a more integrated approach to learning effective reduction of statutory curriculum by one third 2006/7 reforms introduced in all schools

5. Issues and developments:senior cycle

6. 6 History of Senior Cycle Review 1 April 2005 - NCCA �advice� to Minister a restructured senior cycle two or three year programmes of study new curricular components embedding of key skills assessment reform new certificate of senior cycle improved educational guidance professional development resourced at school level

7. 7 History of Senior Cycle Review 2 June 2005 - Minister�s response prioritise subject review common template learning outcomes unitisation embedded key skills endorsement of assessment proposals retain integrity of transition year develop transition units and first short course: enterprise education

8. 8 Curriculum components

9. 9 Unitisation of subjects large chunks of learning (2-4 units) conform to 45/90 hour structure flexible approach, appropriate to nature of subject Template � The use of an agreed syllabus template will bring about a consistency of design which will improve the clarity of the syllabus documents. Template � The use of an agreed syllabus template will bring about a consistency of design which will improve the clarity of the syllabus documents.

10. 10 Transition Units 45 hour units of study School devised, NCCA validated Building on successful TY modules Assessment built into teaching and learning in TUs No external assessment and not reckoned for points Certification on basis of completion One TU a requirement for matriculation

11. 11 Key skills

12. 12 First phase of the work This slide is just a reminder of the subjects that are part of the first phase of syllabus review. You can see straight away, that there will need to be subject-specific approaches to the review. Mathematics is coming to the end of a major review process, which has led to specific proposals in relation to the syllabuses, which we will be discussing later today when Bill presents to the two committees. Languages, including Gaeilge and English have also been reviewed and we have specific proposals, that will affect all the language subjects, and particularly Gaeilge. Revised syllabuses in the science subjects were introduced in and around 2000 and have already been modernised. Work on second assessment components will be important here. A syllabus in PE was developed a number of years ago, but never implemented, and it is not envisaged that a major revision is necessary. And SPE will be a new subject that will bew starting with a clean slate as it were. This slide is just a reminder of the subjects that are part of the first phase of syllabus review. You can see straight away, that there will need to be subject-specific approaches to the review. Mathematics is coming to the end of a major review process, which has led to specific proposals in relation to the syllabuses, which we will be discussing later today when Bill presents to the two committees. Languages, including Gaeilge and English have also been reviewed and we have specific proposals, that will affect all the language subjects, and particularly Gaeilge. Revised syllabuses in the science subjects were introduced in and around 2000 and have already been modernised. Work on second assessment components will be important here. A syllabus in PE was developed a number of years ago, but never implemented, and it is not envisaged that a major revision is necessary. And SPE will be a new subject that will bew starting with a clean slate as it were.

13. Issues and developments:junior cycle

14. 14 The Junior Certificate: a history 1 1989 Junior Certificate Programme single national programme - ending academic/vocational divide broad and balanced curriculum for all, with certification at the end of junior cycle flexibility in subject provision, greater autonomy for schools single examination, variety of modes and techniques to meet the needs of all learners

15. 15 The Junior Certificate: a history 2 1996-99 JC Review Progress Report Junior Certificate programme seen as suitable for needs of majority of students JCSP intervention for those underachieving mismatch between aims of JC programme and current modes/techniques of assessment over-emphasis on product in assessment - little reflection on the quality of learning emergence of issue of the �overcrowded curriculum� identified need for support for greater flexibility in curriculum planning at school level

16. 16 Major issues the impact of developments at senior cycle providing for the growing diversity of the junior cycle cohort implications of the ESRI longitudinal study rethinking the junior certificate examination addressing curriculum overload

17. 17 Impact of developments at senior cycle stronger role for key skills in junior cycle curriculum pressure to �scale back� junior cert exams need to harmonise junior and leaving cert courses potential impact of a different school culture at senior cycle on junior cycle increased demand for educational guidance

18. 18 Responding to diversity legislation establishing entitlement and expectations locating learners more and more in mainstream settings NCCA guidelines in support of inclusion SEN guidelines Intercultural guidelines suitability of JCSP for SEN students if Junior Certificate cannot �stretch� to meet needs, what about a different award for these students?

19. 19 Implications of ESRI longitudinal study evidence of a �dip� in student performance in second year emergence of two distinct groups of students: one becoming more involved in school and in school work, the other disengaging negative effects of streaming and its increased use, particularly in disadvantaged school settings strong preference among students of all ability levels for subjects with a practical orientation preference for active teaching methods that involve students more in their learning importance of the �informal� climate of the school in maintaining positive relationships

20. 20 Rethinking the Junior Cert Examination Some thoughts a national test at the end of junior cycle is desirable the Junior Cert is a �low-stakes� examination exams test a very narrow range of competencies. This has a limiting effect on teaching and learning styles there is an over-emphasis on product rather than process and little account is taken of other key skills there is a need to assess process (e.g. key skills) as well as product. could assessment be �scaled back� to reflect the low-stakes nature of the examination?

21. 21 Rethinking the Junior Cert Examination Some possibilities? alternative assessment components including e-assessment a sharper focus on key skills in syllabus development and assessment some involvement of schools in assessment of students at this level? reduction in the number and length of papers, especially where the same competencies are tested repeatedly limit the number of examinations that Junior Cert students may take in any one year