1. Junior Cycle Developments
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2. Why change?
• ESRI research - evidence base for junior cycle review
• 1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year
• nature of engagement
• Request for advice from Minister and DES
• Innovation and Identity- Ideas for a New Junior Cycle
(2010) discussion paper
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3. And of course, PISA…
• A need to focus on literacy and numeracy
• A need for connections and progression
• Student resilience and persistence
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4. http://ncca.ie/framework/
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5. 4

6. What’s the difference?
• A Framework – not rules!
• Greater flexibility and autonomy for schools
• Clarity on junior cycle learning – a different kind of core
• Focus on the programme as well as the exam
• Access to a more varied curriculum/curriculum development
• Teachers in closer relationship with assessment
• Improved feedback, reporting and modern qualifications
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7. What’s the difference?
A Framework – not rules!
Greater flexibility and autonomy for
schools!
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8. What’s the difference?
Clarity on junior cycle learning – a
different kind of CORE!
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9. Learning
•What a student will learn described in statements of learning
•The skills of literacy and numeracy and other key skills
embedded in learning and the curriculum
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10. 9

11. 10

12. Key Skills
Managing
information and Working with
thinking others
Managing
Being creative
myself
Staying well Communicating
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13. Key Skills – Elements of Working with others
• Developing good relationships and resolving conflict
• Co-operating
• Respecting difference
• Contributing to making the world a better place
• Learning with others
• Working with others through ICT and digital media

14. Key Skills – Learning Outcomes for Working with others:
Respecting difference
I can
• Appreciate difference and diversity
• Talk with people from different
cultures, backgrounds and beliefs
• Respect people from different cultures, backgrounds
and beliefs
• Be open-minded about different ideas, values and
ways of life

15. What’s the difference?
Access to a more varied curriculum
and to curriculum development!
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16. Curriculum
• Subjects continue as the main curriculum components
• Schools can offer short courses
• Subjects will be shorter

17. Art Craft Design
Priority Learning Units
Level 2
Business Studies
Qualification
Classics
English Civic, Social and Political
Education Communicating and
French Literacy
Digital Media
Potential Short Courses
Geography Numeracy
Social, Personal and
German Health Education Looking after myself
Subjects
History Chinese Living in a community
Home Economics Physical Education Preparing for work
Irish Artistic Performance
Italian Programming/Coding Key skills
Jewish Studies
Managing myself
Materials Technology (Wood)
Staying well
Mathematics
Communicating
Skills
Metalwork
Being creative
Music
Working with others
Religious Education
Managing information
Science and thinking.
Spanish
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Technical Graphics Literacy
Technology Numeracy

18. ELEMENTS OF COURSE SPECIFICATION
1. Introduction to junior cycle
VISION
2. Aim
3. Rationale
4. Links (between the course and;)
a. Statements of learning
EXPECTATIONS OF LEARNERS
b. Key Skills
c. Literacy and Numeracy
5. Course overview
• Strands
• Learning Outcomes
6. Expectations for learners
7. Assessment and certification/qualifications
8. Learning and teaching
SUPPORTS
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19. What’s the difference?
Focus on the programme as well as
the exam!
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20. A new junior cycle.
QUALIFICATIONS
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21. What’s the difference?
Assessment closer to learning.
Changed assessment relationships.
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22. Assessment in junior cycle
• Assessment plays a major part in everyday learning
over the three years of junior cycle
• Students more responsible for gathering and
presenting evidence of their learning
• Teachers give feedback and report on that evidence
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23. Assessment for certification/qualifications
• Combination of examination and school work
• School involved in assessment
• Supports –
CPD, specification, exemplification, administr
ative, information
• Manageable and administration-light process
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24. What’s the difference?
Improved feedback, reporting and
modern qualifications!
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25. Qualifications
• Qualifications that fit the learning, not just the exam
• Smaller qualifications, giving schools more space and
time to spend on their junior cycle programme, on
literacy, numeracy and key skills
• Two qualifications
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26. Features of Level 2 Learning Programmes
• Defined target group, range of settings
• Based around Priority Learning Units (250hrs)
• Communicating and literacy
• Numeracy
• Personal care
• Living in a community
• Preparing for work
• PLUs set out in elements and learning
outcomes – a learning menu
• School-based assessment
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27. Level 2 Qualification
For introduction with junior cycle change from
2014
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28. Frequently Asked Questions
Categories
• Framework for Junior Cycle and junior cycle
developments
• Planning for junior cycle development
• Curriculum choices and the junior cycle
programme
• Issues that may arise
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29. Junior Cycle developments
• More detail on the Framework later in 2012
• Ongoing discussions with DES and SEC on detail
• Template and guidelines for short courses
• Work on JC English specification
• Report card templates
• Programme planning
• Ongoing posting of FAQs
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