Grades rise ‘proves need for exam changes’

RISING numbers of college applicants getting top grades in the Leaving Certificate highlight the need to introduce changes that will reduce pressure on students, a parents’ representative has claimed.

Figures from the Central Applications Office (CAO), which processes entry to most third-level undergraduate courses, show that almost 17% of the 55,223 Leaving Certificate students applying for places this year had at least 450 points. The maximum score in the CAO system is 600 points, only possible with six A1s in higher level subjects.

By comparison, only 15% of students in 2001 had similar grades and 12.6% of CAO applicants three years earlier had 450 points. There has also been a fall in the number students with less than 200 points applying for college places, from almost 34% in 1998 to less than 27% this year.

Barbara Johnston, spokesperson for the National Congress of Catholic Secondary School Parent Associations (CSPA) said the figures highlight the need for changes in senior cycle education.

“It’s high time reform and ongoing assessments were introduced to reduce the pressure created by the high points Leaving Certificate cycle,” she said.

“Teachers are being forced to teach only what is going to be in the exams, it’s a question of the system having to suit the exams rather than the other way around,” Ms Johnston said.

Education Minister Noel Dempsey is considering advice received by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) on reforms of the Leaving Certificate.

It suggests that within three years, exams at the end of sixth year would be replaced by assessment of subjects at the end of both fifth and sixth years.

The NCCA has also suggested spreading written, oral, aural, project, portfolio and task-completion assessments over the two or three years or students’ senior cycle education.

However, teacher unions have expressed reservations about having to carry out the ongoing assessments of students, although it is a measure supported by the CSPA and other education partners.

Figures from the State Examinations Commission show that, although fewer students are doing the Leaving Certificate, a rising proportion are taking extra subjects. Most schools only teach seven exams subjects to senior cycle students but more than 13,500 students got results of eight papers last week. A further 472 people had completed exams in nine subjects and 10 students sat 10 papers.

The CAO received almost 11,200 acceptances in the 33 hours from first offers of college places going on its website on Monday morning. Students can still accept offers online or by post up to next Tuesday evening.

Getting the points

Who got what in the 2004 CAO points:

600 points: 145 students (0.3%).

500 - 599: 4,134 (7.5%).

400 - 499: 11,464 (20.8%).

300 - 399: 14,025 (25.4%).

200 - 299: 10,737 (19.4%).

100 - 199: 8,159 (14.8%).

Less than 100: 6,559 (11.9%).