Shelving of interim Leaving Cert change casts doubt on more contentious reforms

Any move to introduce teacher-based assessments, in any form, will need wide support and buy-in from teachers themselves, while compromise also runs the risk of complicating any planned reforms, writes Jess Casey

Unveiled by Education Minister Norma Foley last March, the plans for Senior Cycle reform reads like a map of proposed changes, ultimately aiming to “significantly reduce” the reliance on the final set of exams in June, as well as to introduce some form of teacher-based assessment and new and revised subject curricula. File photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Even the Leaving Cert’s greatest defenders have long conceded that major elements need updating. Now in existence since 1925, it faces regular accusations of being an outdated and crude instrument to measure the full extent of a student’s academic success.

Despite broad consensus that changes are needed, one of the most immediate has now been put on the back burner. Could this signal trouble ahead for more contentious elements of Leaving Cert reform that will need buy-in and support from classrooms?