IT Sligo welcomes the launch on Thursday by the Minister for Education & Skills, Jan O’Sullivan TD, of the new points scale to reflect the changes in the Leaving Certificate grade system.
The changes are being made jointly by the institutes of technology and the universities and will have effect from 2017.
The Institutes of Technology (IOTI) have been working closely with the universities, and the Department of Education & Skills, over a number of years to enhance the transition of students from second level to higher education. IOTI believes the new Common Points Scale will be an important step forward not only in mitigating some of the undesirable effects of the ‘points system’ on senior cycle education, but also in reducing pressure on students.
Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of IT Sligo, believes the new system will have a positive impact on students approach to their examinations.
“Reducing the grading scale from fourteen points to eight at both Higher and Ordinary levels will allow more flexibility, variety and innovation in Leaving Certificate assessments,” he said.
“It is important that we encourage students to challenge themselves intellectually by sitting higher level papers. In this regard, the new Common Points Scale should be warmly welcomed.”
The Minister for Education & Skills, Jan O’Sullivan TD said the new points system was a vital component in a series of ambitious reforms designed to better support students transitioning from second level to higher education
“The new grading system and points scale will apply to students who have entered 5th Year this week and who will sit the Leaving Certificate in 2017,” she said. “Together, these reforms will help to reduce the pressure on students at exam time and enable them to have a broader and more-rounded learning experience in their Senior Cycle.”
The new scheme will ease pressure on students who feel the need to use rote learning to make marginal gains in each exam and hence gain a few additional CAO points and it will minimise the random selection in the admission process by reducing the number of candidates achieving identical point scores.
It also brings the Leaving Certificate grading system closer to comparable examinations in Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Finland, and the International Baccalaureate.