NCCA Council Meeting on 03/11/11
The Framework for Junior Cycle proposals were adopted by the DES at this meeting.
Address by Ruari Quinn, Minister for Education and Skills.
Minister commented on proposals:
· Cap on number of subjects that will be taken in national qualification [only apply from 2017]
· Reduction in content of subject syllabuses. 200 hr. courses. [English, Irish, Maths: 240hrs]
· Possibility of short courses – 100 hours Max of 4.
· Emphasise real understanding and competence rather than recall. Process rather than product.
· Keep existing range of subject options but hope that some will be adapted into short courses by schools themselves
· Embed Key Skills, Literacy and Numeracy and ICT across subjects.
· Teachers have a professional assessment role to play in qualification.
· Schools will have a lot of control over the programme they will offer to their students.
· Teachers and schools will be supported through CPD, particularly in relation to new roles in assessment and moderation.
Document: Towards a Framework for Junior Cycle.
· Each school will receive several copies of this document in the next two weeks.
· The NCCA website has details of the Framework also. See: www.ncca.ie. Look up under ‘Junior Cycle’.
· What students should learn is described in 24 statements of learning.
Planning:
· The process of planning for a new Junior Cycle will involve thinking about the combination of subjects and short courses and learning experiences that will ensure that all statements of learning, along with key skills and literacy and numeracy skills are addressed in the programme that the school will provide for its students.
· Schools should form networks with other schools to work together in devising programmes, discussing timetabling, sharing resources.
What happens now:
· The NCCA will devise an Implementation Plan for the process.
· The ACCS will provide an opportunity for consultation with schools in the next few weeks.