Continuous assessment is set to be a key part of the Leaving Cert under major reforms announced this afternoon.
The plan will see 40% of a student’s final mark based on continuous assessment with the rest based on written exams.
The curricula for all subjects is to be reviewed with the first set of new syllabuses to start in 2024.
The new continuous assessment models will also be in place for optional subjects Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Business by 2024.
Meanwhile, a number of new subjects will be added to the curriculum.
Two of those subjects will be 'Drama, Film and Theatre Studies' and 'Climate Action and Sustainable Development' – both of which will be ready for the Fifth Year class of 2024.
From 2023 meanwhile, students will sit Paper One of their English and Gaeilge exams at the end of Fifth Year.
Minister Norma Foley announcing the revised Leaving Cert this afternoon pic.twitter.com/OkuCb5q5YT
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) March 29, 2022
Speaking this afternoon, the Education Minister Norma Foley said it’s time the Leaving Cert was updated.
“We know that examinations are not capable of measuring all of the competencies that we want young people to develop,” she said.
“We know too, that having to rely on a single written examination can be very stressful for students.
“To spread the assessment load, I have decided that one of the papers in Irish and English will be taken at the end of Fifth Year.”
NEW: Major revision of the Leaving Cert has been announced. All subjects to be reviewed with 60% of marks for the exam and 40% continuous assessment. Two new LC subjects also being announced from 2024
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) March 29, 2022
The Department of Education said all future Oral Examinations and the Music Practical Performance Exams will take place during the first week of the Easter, as is hte case this year.
From September of this year meanwhile, students will be able to access Leaving Certificate Applied potions in Maths and foreign languages.
Meanwhile, a new qualification will be introduced at Level One and Two on National Qualification frame work to provide an "appropriate level of assessment to some students with special educational needs".
“This is an ambitious programme of reform," said Minister Foley. "It will enrich students’ educational experience by increasing their choices to match their interests and enhancing teaching and learning."
“It will reduce the pressure on students that comes from final assessments based primarily on examinations. We will move to a model that uses other forms of assessment, over a less concentrated time period, in line with international best practice.
Norma Foley says it's not the intention to have 'many mini Leaving Certs' here by having continuous assessment elements. Says detail of when the CA exams/elements would be hasn't been worked out yet
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) March 29, 2022
She said the development of new subjects and revised curricula will be informed by the views of students, teachers and parents in a co-creation process.
Meanwhile, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and State Exams Commission (SEC) will jointly research and define how the SEC-externally moderated, school-based form of assessment would operate.
The NCCA has also been asked to invite a selection of schools of all types and sizes to become “network schools”.
The selected schools will participate in the revised curriculum and assessment at an earlier stage and will be supported to do so.
A Senior Cycle Programme Delivery Board which will have overall responsibility for delivery of the reforms is also set to be established.
