The Junior Cycle Framework

Information for Parents of

First Year students

Derarca Maguire, February 2018

The Junior Cycle Framework

AIM:

To give you a comprehensive overview of the new JC

framework

The Junior Cycle Framework

• Why was change needed?

• What changed?

• What are Key Skills and Statements of Learning?

• What’s new in Curriculum and Assessment?

• What does Wellbeing entail?

• What is a “subject”, a “short course” and a “PLU”?

• What are CBAs (and SLARs)?

• What are Other Areas of Learning and what is a JCPA?

Why Change?

ESRI research

• The JC exam was dominating teaching and learning in

many Irish classrooms

• Emphasis on covering content rather than skills

• Narrow range of assessment activity

• Smooth the transition from primary school

• Some students disengaged from learning

Key Skills

• 8 Key Skills to be taught by all

teachers in all subjects and Short Courses

24 Statements of Learning (SoL)

• A subject will cover some of these Statements

• The school curriculum must cover all of them

Significant changes for teachers

• New specifications for all subjects

• New approaches to: planning, assessment, timetabling

• Emphasis on skills and SoLs

Significant changes for students

• Different forms of assessment - 2nd and 3rd year

- emphasis on skills - presenting, researching, collaborating

• Descriptors rather than grades

• Other areas of Learning OALs

The New Curriculum

Wellbeing

Short Courses (100 hrs)

Other Subjects

English, Irish & Maths

Level 2 PLUs

X

X

= Higher and Ord level = Common level

• Every teacher has a role

• 300 hours, rising to 400 hours

• Includes PE, SPHE, CSPE and Guidance

• Is the focus of CBS Kilkenny School Improvement Plan this year

Wellbeing

Junior Cycle Certification

Students will be assessed

in a maximum of:

10 subjects

9 Subjects and 2 Short Courses

8 Subjects and 4 Short Courses

The New Curriculum contd

• Consultation with school partners

• Moderating the rate of change

• Give it time to embed

What is the curriculum at CBS Kilkenny?

10 subjects

Which ten subjects?

Maths, English, Irish

Science, Language, History, Geography, Religion

Band 1 (e.g.): Business, Music, Art, Woodwork, Technology

Band 2 (e.g.): Business, Home Ec, Woodwork, Technology, TechG

+ Wellbeing

3

5

1

1

10 +

Student Assessment Classroom Based Assessment (CBA)

SLAR Meeting

Each subject has:

two CBAs

- end of 2nd Year

- middle of 3rd Year.

Subject Learning and Assessment

Review

(SLAR) meeting

Results of CBAs to students and

parents and kept on record in the

school.

CBA in 3rd Year: followed by an

Assessment Task (AT)

-forwarded to the State Exams

Commission in June

(10%)

Results of the terminal

exam (incl the AT) in mid-September

from the SEC

Junior Cycle Profile of

Achievement (JCPA)

-to student by Christmas

Student Assessment Assessment Task (AT)

JCPA

Descriptors replace grades

CBA

• Exceptional

• Above expectations

• In line with expectations

• Yet to meet expectations

Junior Cycle

• Distinction 90-100%

• Higher Merit 75 – 89%

• Merit 55 – 74%

• Achieved 40 – 54%

• Partially Achieved 20 – 39%

• Not Graded < 20%

What does a JCPA

look like?

Three distinct areas are

reported upon

JCPA

JCPA

Other Areas of Learning

Your son is encouraged to partake in many school activities which will constitute OALs

JCPA

Phased Introduction of Subjects/Courses

Year introduced Subject/Course Appear on JCPA from

2014 English 2017

2016 Science & Business Studies 2019

2017 Gaeilge, MFL, Art, Wellbeing 2020

2018 Maths, Home Ec, Music History, Geography

2021

2019 Technology Subjects, RE Classics, Jewish Studies

2022

Classroom Based Assessments (CBA) for current First Year students

Subject 2nd Year 3rd Year

English April/May CBA (Teacher assessed)

Nov/Dec CBA (Teacher) + AT (SEC)

Science, Business April/May CBA (Teacher assessed)

Nov/Dec CBA (Teacher) + AT (SEC)

Art, Gaeilge, MFL April/May CBA (Teacher assessed)

Nov/Dec CBA (Teacher) + AT (SEC)

• CBAs will replace summer and Christmas tests in these subjects • CBAs assessed at common level

Summary

• Why was change needed?

• What is different?

• What are Key Skills and Statements of Learning?

• What’s new in Curriculum and Assessment?

• What does Wellbeing entail?

• What is a “subject”, a “short course” and a “PLU”?

• What are CBAs (and SLARs)?

• What are Other Areas of Learning and what is a JCPA?

For more information

• juniorcycle.ie

• curriculumonline.ie

• ncca.ie

• d.maguire@cbskilkenny.ie

The Junior Cycle Framework

Information for Parents of

First Year students

Derarca Maguire, February 2018