Pupils’ opinions to be sought in extensive Leaving Cert review
The opinions of 2,000 second-level students are to be gathered in schools over the next few months to inform a major review of the two-year senior cycle that leads to the Leaving Certificate.
Students, parents, and teachers are to be surveyed, as part of the first phase, from the re-opening of schools, later this month, to early October. The focus is the purpose of the senior cycle. The 40 participating schools will feed responses into the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), with a second stage, from November to January, seeking views about the senior cycle structure, the educational programmes, and pathways open to students after completion.
The NCCA is engaging with schools at a much earlier stage than usual about significant educational changes, in order to reflect what happens every day in Irish classrooms. Research for the NCCA, earlier this year, on the senior cycle in eight other countries, highlighted the range of options to suit students’ future learning or employment destinations, but also that curriculum and assessment systems are often interdependent.
The strong ties between Leaving Certificate results and college entry are the subject of ongoing efforts at reform.
More than 55,000 students, getting their results tomorrow, will be the second Leaving Certificate class awarded a new system of grades, with associated changes being made to the related Central Applications Office (CAO) points.
Groups of up to 60 second-level students will take part in the consultation sessions at each of the 40 schools. Half of these will then be picked to participate in three smaller, hour-long focus groups, addressing some of the questions.
The questions to be discussed by students in the first phase will be about the importance placed on exams, the subjects and teaching methods that students enjoy, and the suitability of senior cycle for students of different abilities. Older students will also be asked about the advice they get on their post-school plans, and the assistance they get in making those plans.
Parents will be asked about the challenges for their children of the senior cycle, seeking to identify issues like subject-choice regrets, workload, and preparation for college, which have already been identified in previous research.
The definition of success in senior cycle will also be addressed, and parents’ views will be sought on any barriers to children fulfilling their potential.
Staff of the 40 second-level schools will be asked to identify the main positives and challenging elements of the senior cycle, and their views on what students should gain from it to succeed and actively participate in an ever-changing world.
The collated views of students, parents, and staff will be fed back to the NCCA, and the Economic and Social Research Institute will produce a report for a national seminar in November.
After the second schools consultation phase, from November to January, further national seminars will lead to a final overview report, and advice based on the review will be sent to Education Minister, Richard Bruton, in June.
Parental support key to avoid alcohol
The advice and support of parents are key to helping to avoid dangerous drinking by students to mark their Leaving Certificate results tomorrow, experts say.
Despite peer pressures around alcohol, they say parents are the strongest influence on young people’s decisions around drinking.
The Drinkaware organisation emphasises for those students with drink in their celebration plans that binge drinking — the equivalent of three pints of beer in one sitting — is dangerous and can significantly affect their health and wellbeing now or in the future.
Parents are asked to discuss plans for results night and find out from their sons or daughters who they will be with, whether there will be alcohol there, and how they plan to get home.
The importance of safety is emphasised and young people should be reminded they can call or text home if they feel unwell or unsafe at any time during the night.
Drinkaware interim chief executive Miriam Taber said this week when students get their results can be a highly stressful and emotional time for them, and talking to a trusted adult can help with any confusion.
It is important that students marking this achievement, especially those who are concerned with their results, do not use alcohol as a way to blow off steam.
“Drinking to excess can have a serious impact on a young person’s physical and mental health.
“We would encourage parents to get involved in their children’s plans for celebrating this week, especially where alcohol is concerned,” Ms Taber said.
The HSE has just updated its askaboutalchohol.ie website with a 68-page guide for parents on alcohol and drugs. Its experts said it is important for parents to talk with their children and set boundaries ahead of Leaving Certificate celebrations.
