Parents welcome plan to overhaul points system
The most contentious of the three main recommendations from the Irish University Association (IUA) could be a proposal that different Leaving Certificate subjects be given different CAO points.
They are all treated the same at present, except for the bonus points introduced for maths this year.
The move contributed to a record number of students — more than 11,000 or one in five — taking higher-level maths this year.
But despite concerns about widespread effects on all courses, just 3,353 of those offered a place on a level 8 degree on Monday would not have made it into that course but for the 25 bonus points they received for higher-level maths.
Others among the 12,914 with a D3 or better in higher-level maths — from this year’s Leaving Certificate or previous years — may have counted it as one of their six best subjects for CAO purposes, but might still have been eligible for a place offered to them without the bonus.
The IUA says there is scope to change the approach of all other subjects being treated equally for points, as a way to create further incentives for students to study and achieve in specific subjects.
Jackie O’Callaghan, a spokesperson for the National Parents’ Council post-primary, said any such move should be carefully considered, as there are still concerns that the maths bonus points has distorted a lot of courses other than those needing a high standard of maths.
“They could look at giving bonus points for other subjects, but only where it is relevant to the course a student is applying for. If they are looking to study English or literature, for example, then it is relevant to their English grade.
“We hear a lot of these different proposals at this time every year, but it sounds like it’s being taken more seriously this time. Any changes need to be concise, thought through and have an immediate effect,” she said.
Another specific proposal is that Leaving Certificate grades be reduced from 14 to eight: A1, A2, B, C, D, E, F and No Grade.
The current system, with three sub-divisions of B, Cs and Ds, leads to increased pressure on students and encourages rote learning.
“This [change] will allow beneficial changes to how the Leaving Certificate is assessed and consequent changes in university selection methods,” the report said. The change is widely supported but Education Minister Ruairi Quinn is understood to query whether the A1 and A2 distinction is needed.
The university chiefs also recommend a further move towards common entry degrees. Specialist entry programmes with limited places push up entry points, so the move could reduce pressure on students.
“The number of students who change courses after first year or just drop out is too high, so we do need a broader first year in colleges,” Ms O’Callaghan said.
The IUA says there will be further reductions in the number of specialised entry programmes at some universities next year.
Other changes to be considered by the universities include:
* Closer ties with school curriculum designers, particularly on the impact of Leaving Cert assessment methods. The IUA says a critical review is needed of how they may backwash into “undesirable learning behaviours” at second level, a reference to rote learning that leaves students unprepared for third level.
* New ways to select students, such as graduate entry for certain professional courses.
* Ranking students by their performance relative to others for each Leaving Certificate subject, instead of awarding the same points to everyone with the same grade.
* More extensive assessments, in addition to Leaving Cert results. These could include personal statements — being piloted for some TCD degrees in 2014 — and assessments like the HPAT aptitude test for entry to medicine.
* A matriculation exam at the end of fifth year, to fulfil requirements at some universities for a pass in Irish and/or maths and ease related pressure at Leaving Cert.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
