ASTI in Mayo comes out strongly against Senior Cycle reforms

SIR - 

On behalf of the members of the West Mayo Branch of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI), I am asking your readers to support the secondary teachers of Ireland as we take a stand against the proposed changes to the Leaving Cert. 

ASTI members, along with their TUI second-level teaching colleagues, will make a clear public display of our concern that the programme of Senior Cycle redevelopment contains fundamental flaws and is being rushed into an overburdened and under-resourced system.

Lunchtime protests will take place at all second-level schools today (Tuesday) as part of a campaign seeking postponement of the Senior Cycle redevelopment programme.

The ASTI are not opposed to Senior Cycle redevelopment. We have a long track record of advocating for and implementing curricular reform across all subjects and at all levels.

However, significant problems have emerged regarding the current programme for redevelopment of Senior Cycle, indeed what the Minister for Education has termed an “accelerated” redevelopment programme. In effect, this means that the redevelopment programme is being rushed and the system is and will be unable to cope.

Problems that have emerged include:

• Inappropriate Assessment Arrangements: New assessment components (AACs) in certain subjects are being implemented without appropriate structures or consideration of the impact on both students and teachers. Inappropriate assessment arrangements are being put in place for additional assessment components in some subjects. An insistence by the Minister that additional assessment components cannot be allocated less than 40% of the overall marks for a subject is a substantial problem for some subjects - particularly science subjects. While 40% or more works for some subjects, it does not work for others.

• Rushed Subject Specifications: Subject specifications are being developed hastily, without sufficient involvement of teachers - the very experts who will be delivering this content.

• Lack of Access to Submissions Made During the Consultation Process: Many stakeholders make submissions to the NCCA to inform the process of writing new subject specifications by NCCA subject development groups. These subject development groups have been denied access to these submissions, weakening the process substantially.

• Insufficient Preparation Time: The scheduled release of subject guidelines, AAC guidelines, and sample examination materials lacks an adequate lead-in period. This jeopardises the quality of teacher preparation, professional learning opportunities, and resourcing prior to the introduction of new subjects and new specifications.

• Equity of Access: We have serious concerns regarding equality and equitable access to the facilities and resources needed in schools to deliver new subject specifications.

• Insufficient Training Timelines: The timelines for the introduction of new subjects do not allow for adequate and thorough teacher training.

•Issues with AACs and AI: There is concern regarding proposed AACs that should be part of written examinations, as well as the need to address the implications of rapidly evolving AI technology on assessment integrity and fairness.

It is most important that teachers make a clear public display of their concern that the programme of Senior Cycle redevelopment contains fundamental flaws and is being rushed into an overburdened and under-resourced system.

The presence of teachers outside 750 schools nationwide today (Tuesday) is a clear message to the Minister that want a postponement of the Senior Cycle redevelopment programme so that key issues of concern can be addressed in order to preserve the integrity of our education system and so that each learner can be helped to reach their full potential.

Mise le meas, 

Orla O’Callaghan, 

Hon. Branch Secretary, 

West Mayo ASTI