No major concerns over predictability of exams

The final area of reform promised by Ruairi Quinn was around predictability in Leaving Certificate exams which — along with narrow grade bands mostly sep-arated by just 5% — it had been suggested promotes rote learning and “teaching to the test” in schools instead of focusing on the curriculum.

But a progress report out today says researchers at Oxford University and Queen’s University Belfast examining the issue for the State Examinations Commission have not found predictability to be a major issue of concern, though some elements of problematic predictability were identified.

“However, the research indicates that no subject was considered to be very problematically predictable overall by the subject specialists, the teachers or the students,” it said.

The research was based on work in a number of areas, including analysis of media commentary on the Leaving Certificate, research on exam materials in six subjects, surveys of students who did the exams last year, and work in 17 Irish schools.

An overall report of the different elements is being finalised and is expected to be published shortly, along with any proposals from the SEC and National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to address the findings of what Mr Quinn said is ground-breaking research.

Despite the work on predictability, Leaving Cert grades and college degree numbers falling behind the original schedule, the minister said he is satisfied at the progress being made on the reforms. “For the first time, we see the concerns around the high stakes nature of the points system and the Leaving Certificate being addressed in a coherent way across both second and third level,” he said.

Mr Quinn said all change will be managed carefully as phased changes begin for students who start fifth year next year, given the high stakes nature of the exams.