Reformed college entry system ‘must be monitored’

Parents will be watching the rollout of a reformed college entry system very closely to ensure the desired effects of easing the long-running points race are achieved, education leaders have been told.

As final details were announced of the Central Applications Office (CAO) points that will correspond to new Leaving Certificate grades, National Parents’ Council Post Primary president Don Myers said it should bring positive changes. However, he said it must be monitored very closely for the first year or two to see how it works out.

The result of detailed planning by third-level colleges, in tandem with earlier work by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to change the number of Leaving Certificate grades from 14 to eight, it is intended to ease the pressure felt by students.