Junior Cycle 2

JUNIOR CYCLE

A new Junior cycle commenced for all students in 2014. By September 2020, all new specifications were commenced. Our new intake is assessed in February of their final year in primary school. The results of this assessment are used to create mixed-ability core classes in first year. First years follow a curriculum which is divided into a mandatory set of core subjects and a set of optional subjects. https://www.jct.ie/perch/resources/leadership/jc-info-parents-post-primary-092019.pdf (check this link is okay)

The core subjects are:

Students study all of these subjects, unless exempt from Irish

The optional subjects are:

Students have the opportunity to sample the above subjects before making a choice at October mid-term in first year

Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs)

Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) have been introduced to allow students to demonstrate their understanding of concepts and skills and their ability to apply them in ways that may not be possible in an externally assessed examination. CBAs will be undertaken during a defined time period within normal class contact time and to a national timetable. Students will complete one CBS in second year and one in third year.

Once the second CBA is completed student sin third year will complete a written Assessment Task. This task, set by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), is undertaken during normal class time and will be sent to the State Examinations Commission (SEC) for marking. This Assessment Task will be worth 10% of the overall mark in the case of most subjects. At the end of third year, students will sit the final SEC examination in June. CBAs will be reported on in the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement using the following descriptors: Exceptional, Above Expectations, In Line with Expectations and Yet to Meet Expectations.

SUBJECTS:

Each subject specification describes the learning that takes place as part of the student’s study of a subject in junior cycle.

The state examination that students sit in their subject at the end of their junior cycle will also be graded differently. Instead of A,B,C,D,E, F and NG the following descriptors will now be used:

• Distinction (90 to 100%)
• Higher Merit (75 to 89%)
• Merit (55 to 74%)
• Achieved (40 to 54%)
• Partially Achieved (20 to 39%)
• Not Reported (0 to 19%)

Other Learning Experiences

Students will have the opportunity to engage with a range of other learning experience as part of their junior cycle programme and these can be recorded on the JCPA. Other learning experiences play a critical role in ensuring that students are provided with a broad and balanced educational experience.

These learning experiences could include student engagement in a science fair, a musical performance or a debating competition. They could also include extracurricular activities, such as: membership of the school student council or school clubs and societies, participation in school sporting activities.

How student achievement at Junior Cycle will be assessed:

Junior cycle students will receive a new Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA). The JCPA will reflect a much wider range of your child’s achievements over the three years of Junior cycle. The JCPA will report on a number of areas, including:

1. Subjects
2. Classroom Based Assessments
3. Short Courses
4. Other Learning Experiences

Sample JCPA: Add link for this

https://www.jct.ie/perch/resources/leadership/key-skills-poster.pdf - Link Key Skills

Link to NCCA?