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The way forward for LC2021

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,263 ✭✭✭deiseindublin


    I wish the unions would work together, they really need to be a united front.
    I really don't think TUI care about 2nd level any more. I attended a branch meeting recently and was shocked at the focus that there was on PLC and 3rd level.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,463 ✭✭✭History Queen


    I really don't think TUI care about 2nd level any more. I attended a branch meeting recently and was shocked at the focus that there was on PLC and 3rd level.

    That's not the impression I get at our branch but there's only two further ed reps in attendance usually. In fairness the Union represent more than one sector so time has to be given to both. It probably depends on turn out at meetings as to what gets prioritised. Members do set the agenda.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,620 ✭✭✭Treppen


    Delighted ASTI came out and refused the predicted grades option as the go-to plan from government.

    It's very clear now the department have zero plans for exam sitting . Have they even ordered the papers yet.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,011 ✭✭✭Random sample


    Treppen wrote: »
    Delighted ASTI came out and refused the predicted grades option as the go-to plan from government.

    It's very clear now the department have zero plans for exam sitting . Have they even ordered the papers yet.

    I thought the papers were printed and all, and that’s why they couldn’t have further adjustments made to them.


  • Registered Users Posts: 149 ✭✭carr62


    Well I'm devestated. Have a student in tears here. Can't go back to school due to having to protect a family member with terminal illness. Has been consistently tested when was in school sept to Dec, and online since. Tests almost weekly. Sobbing in bedroom now....I need to go console, but do I understand this development correctly, are ASTI pushing for sitting the physical exam? I've never been so concerned for my child as I am this evening.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,620 ✭✭✭Treppen


    I thought the papers were printed and all, and that’s why they couldn’t have further adjustments made to them.

    It's easy enough issue addendums. Easy for teachers to fill students in also.

    Just saw Kieran Christie there on RTE , he pointed out that no recruitment had taken place so it showed the government aren't really considering exams.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,011 ✭✭✭Random sample


    Treppen wrote: »
    It's easy enough issue addendums. Easy for teachers to fill students in also.

    Just saw Kieran Christie there on RTE , he pointed out that no recruitment had taken place so it showed the government aren't really considering exams.

    I’m glad someone has finally pointed that out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,144 ✭✭✭Rosita


    I thought the papers were printed and all, and that’s why they couldn’t have further adjustments made to them.

    This would surely be a very weak reason not to make adjustments to a significant exam.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,011 ✭✭✭Random sample


    carr62 wrote: »
    Well I'm devestated. Have a student in tears here. Can't go back to school due to having to protect a family member with terminal illness. Has been consistently tested when was in school sept to Dec, and online since. Tests almost weekly. Sobbing in bedroom now....I need to go console, but do I understand this development correctly, are ASTI pushing for sitting the physical exam? I've never been so concerned for my child as I am this evening.

    I’m really sorry to hear that.

    The asti have always favoured an exam to take place this year. If there are exams, run by the state exams commission, then the bell curve will ensure that there’s a fair distribution of results.

    If there are predictive grades, it will not be possible to ensure that will happen. There are too many variables, and in a lot of cases teachers will run some sort of exams to try to get some data on these kids, which will not be as fair on them as the state exams.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,011 ✭✭✭Random sample


    Rosita wrote: »
    This would surely be a very weak reason not to make adjustments to a significant exam.

    Absolutely. But I saw it floated a few weeks ago.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,620 ✭✭✭Treppen


    carr62 wrote: »
    Well I'm devestated. Have a student in tears here. Can't go back to school due to having to protect a family member with terminal illness. Has been consistently tested when was in school sept to Dec, and online since. Tests almost weekly. Sobbing in bedroom now....I need to go console, but do I understand this development correctly, are ASTI pushing for sitting the physical exam? I've never been so concerned for my child as I am this evening.

    Yes physical exams supplemented with predicted grades.

    Did he think he was going to get predicted grades only? Where did he hear that?


  • Registered Users Posts: 968 ✭✭✭Str8outtaWuhan


    Interesting move by ASTI, I have a feeling they know this is it with regards to Teachers assessment for sate certification, they acquiesced last year , were they to do so this year would spell the end of June exams and therefore what reason could there be for teachers to not spend June teaching etc...?

    ASTI know this and are rightly fighting for their members interests, I don't begrudge them that.


  • Registered Users Posts: 149 ✭✭carr62


    Thankfully my student got a loan of a laptop 2 weeks ago. Prior to that had only a phone. Very poor internet here, on average can get into 50% of lessons. I doubt theres a bell curve that can make allowances for that. I wish someone from ASTI could see the state of my child tonight.


  • Registered Users Posts: 513 ✭✭✭noplacehere


    I think it may partially be the combination. Cancelling all orals, practicals, projects and getting teacher to run them is one battle teacher really cannot afford to lose. And the SEC not even running recruitment means the Dept thought they could get away with it. Whatever about the June exams I would not be happy with teachers predicting these for their own students


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,144 ✭✭✭Rosita


    carr62 wrote: »
    Well I'm devestated. Have a student in tears here. Can't go back to school due to having to protect a family member with terminal illness. Has been consistently tested when was in school sept to Dec, and online since. Tests almost weekly. Sobbing in bedroom now....I need to go console, but do I understand this development correctly, are ASTI pushing for sitting the physical exam? I've never been so concerned for my child as I am this evening.

    Surely the idea of a written Leaving Cert is the default understanding? No sure why it should be such a shock to have it suggested. Just two/three weeks ago the Minister for Education was saying that it was their full intention to hold the traditional Leaving Cert.

    The people who should be non-plussed by this news should be those who assumed the Minister was playing with a straight bat.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,144 ✭✭✭Rosita


    Interesting move by ASTI, I have a feeling they know this is it with regards to Teachers assessment for sate certification, they acquiesced last year , were they to do so this year would spell the end of June exams and therefore what reason could there be for teachers to not spend June teaching etc...?

    ASTI know this and are rightly fighting for their members interests, I don't begrudge them that.

    I'm probably naive but maybe they just feel that there is still plenty of scope and time for a relatively normal exam. As the Minister for Ed was saying just two weeks ago......"it is our full intention" etc. And that they only credible exam the current Sixth Years have sat is their Christmas exam in Fifth Year?

    Why shouldn't students want a written exam (with reasonable) adjustments to show their true ability rather than be judged harshly on the basis of subjective nebulous factors, like potential 'peaking' for exams, the effect maybe of attendance issues or not great classwork?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,620 ✭✭✭Treppen


    carr62 wrote: »
    Thankfully my student got a loan of a laptop 2 weeks ago. Prior to that had only a phone. Very poor internet here, on average can get into 50% of lessons. I doubt theres a bell curve that can make allowances for that. I wish someone from ASTI could see the state of my child tonight.

    Why did your child think it would be predicted grades only? Who told them that?


  • Registered Users Posts: 506 ✭✭✭PoolDude


    Treppen wrote: »
    Yes physical exams supplemented with predicted grades.

    Did he think he was going to get predicted grades only? Where did he hear that?

    Well it might have been a reasonable assumption given the Taoiseach has said they were working on giving students choices and the minister said:

    "two distinct process for Leaving Certificate 2021: planning for examinations and scoping out a corresponding measure, different to examinations that can also be offered to students"

    Offered also implies choice but I doubt anyone is downing tools till they see the options

    ASTI knew this going in and I think what they are saying is they need to be equally available options


  • Registered Users Posts: 968 ✭✭✭Str8outtaWuhan


    Rosita wrote: »
    I'm probably naive but maybe they just feel that there is still plenty of scope and time for a relatively normal exam. As the Minister for Ed was saying just two weeks ago......"it is our full intention" etc. And that they only credible exam the current Sixth Years have sat us their Christmas exam in Fifth Year?

    Why shouldn't students want a written exam (with reasonable) adjustments to show their true ability rather than be judged harshly on the basis of subjective nebulous factors, like potential 'peaking' or exams, the effect maybe of attendance issues or not great classwork?

    We will be in a lot better place this June than last June , numbers will be floored limited movement, If they scrap the JC they can run the LC over longer period with more centers, throw money at it but will they, hell NO. The cost of high court actions are a lot less than the cost of running the exams, methinks!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 960 ✭✭✭Triangle



    ASTI know this and are rightly fighting for their members interests, I don't begrudge them that.

    This is the problem, they have their members interests at heart and not the people doing the LC. After all the stress these young folks have gone through this year - it's morally wrong to be playing games with their stress levels and emotions.
    They should hang their heads in shame.

    My eldest has gone through crap since Christmas and just wants to know what's going to happen. Its not the time to be playing games folks.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,620 ✭✭✭Treppen


    PoolDude wrote: »
    Well it might have been a reasonable assumption given the Taoiseach has said they were working on giving students choices and the minister said:

    "two distinct process for Leaving Certificate 2021: planning for examinations and scoping out a corresponding measure, different to examinations that can also be offered to students"

    Offered also implies choice but I doubt anyone is downing tools till they see the options

    ASTI knew this going in and I think what they are saying is they need to be equally available options

    And there-in you have the problem. The minister, third level minister, Tainiste and Taoiseach all went around giving random promises as to what way things were going to be and people believed everything. This was without any discussion with stakeholders.
    Same as when they made the pronouncement that schools would open in January.


  • Registered Users Posts: 128 ✭✭aratsarse101


    I think I’m a reasonable teacher. I love my job; I really do, my subject and most importantly my students. I’ve been teaching nearly 20 years. But I wonder do people realise the realities of this issue. I have 330 students. The gang I have in my one 6th year class, I wouldn’t be able to name some of them if I saw them on the street. What do I do if we have an estimated grades scenario? Base it on Mickey Mouse assessments that I made with various pedagogical strategies behind them at the time? For the weeks that I saw them over the last year. Often students weren’t present or deliberately absented themselves. One student this year told me he hid in the the bathroom for two because he was afraid there would be calculated grades. All entirely non-standardised tests by the way. Base them on what will happen if I see them in the next couple of months? Or just pull them out of thin air?
    Our learning (teachers and society) from the last calculated grades farce was that (a) the system can’t be trusted, (b) there was some awful injustices and (c) there’s more to this story...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,620 ✭✭✭Treppen


    Triangle wrote: »
    This is the problem, they have their members interests at heart and not the people doing the LC. After all the stress these young folks have gone through this year - it's morally wrong to be playing games with their stress levels and emotions.
    They should hang their heads in shame.

    My eldest has gone through crap since Christmas and just wants to know what's going to happen. Its not the time to be playing games folks.

    Predicting grades based on a few class tests is playing games. You have to ask yourself why teachers really care about this, they're not the ones depending on points, whatever decision is finally arrived at teachers will roll in, same as the new junior cycle, project maths, calculated grades last year. They have zero to loose .... So why are they taking this position?
    If your son wants predictive grades then ask him if everyone gets H1s will everyone be happy?
    Is he happy to compete with students who have been magically getting 100% in online tests since December?
    Does he trust all his own teachers 100% to be fair to award a leaving cert grade based on.... Class tests after every chapter? And tank everyone in his class accordingly. Never mind the other teachers in the subjects who are tougher or easier graders.

    Tell your youngfella to study as if there's going to be a leaving cert.
    Not give up as if there isn't.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 725 ✭✭✭sue97


    Predicted grades were not fair last year. Norma Foley removed schools historic data thereby causing teachers to see unexplainable (to them) correction of their results. Teachers who gave honest grades saw good students arrive to resit exams in Nov due to points inflation. Students spent hours with grind teachers working for November and only 40% increased (how?) They were focusing on one or two subjects instead of seven or eight. If you look at November results for Maths for example, the number of students who got higher grades has reduced compared to the last three years.

    That's not to mention disclosing the students place in class after promising not to.

    There should never have been discussions about predicted grades at this stage. Orals were done for college courses over Zoom, they could have been done over Zoom for Leaving Cert. Kids who do not have access to the technology could go into their school and use the technology there.

    I don't blame the Unions on this. I think Norma is impulsive and does not think through her decisions.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,620 ✭✭✭Treppen


    sue97 wrote: »
    Predicted grades were not fair last year. Norma Foley removed schools historic data thereby causing teachers to see unexplainable (to them) correction of their results. Teachers who gave honest grades saw good students arrive to resit exams in Nov due to points inflation. Students spent hours with grind teachers working for November and only 40% increased (how?) They were focusing on one or two subjects instead of seven or eight. If you look at November results for Maths for example, the number of students who got higher grades has reduced compared to the last three years.

    That's not to mention disclosing the students place in class after promising not to.

    There should never have been discussions about predicted grades at this stage. Orals were done for college courses over Zoom, they could have been done over Zoom for Leaving Cert. Kids who do not have access to the technology could go into their school and use the technology there.

    I don't blame the Unions on this. I think Norma is impulsive and does not think through her decisions.

    I reckon the department have zero intention of changing or enabling anything for the regular leaving cert exam.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,398 ✭✭✭am_zarathustra


    The department's not fit for purpose. That's the real issue. The LC could be run if you out ten good principals and a few people from the SEC in a room, they are education in ireland. The department are dreadful, they don't read research, do research, implement obvious international research or understand how education works on the ground. They lack logistical ability full stop. Hence the SEC run the exams. Mix an incompetent department with an new TD with little experience or ability in a very trying time and you have a problem.........and it's not the Unions.


  • Site Banned Posts: 2,799 ✭✭✭Bobtheman


    It's a game of chicken now between the department and the Asti. I fully support the Asti position.


  • Registered Users Posts: 52 ✭✭Pringles123


    I think I’m a reasonable teacher. I love my job; I really do, my subject and most importantly my students. I’ve been teaching nearly 20 years. But I wonder do people realise the realities of this issue. I have 330 students. The gang I have in my one 6th year class, I wouldn’t be able to name some of them if I saw them on the street. What do I do if we have an estimated grades scenario? Base it on Mickey Mouse assessments that I made with various pedagogical strategies behind them at the time? For the weeks that I saw them over the last year. Often students weren’t present or deliberately absented themselves. One student this year told me he hid in the the bathroom for two because he was afraid there would be calculated grades. All entirely non-standardised tests by the way. Base them on what will happen if I see them in the next couple of months? Or just pull them out of thin air?
    Our learning (teachers and society) from the last calculated grades farce was that (a) the system can’t be trusted, (b) there was some awful injustices and (c) there’s more to this story...

    Thank god somebody said it! I started in a new school myself this year. Over 300 students to learn about since September. I actually don't know my classes that well. I was only really getting to know them at Christmas. If the parents of the children in my 6th year class knew that I dont know their kids as well as they think, they wouldn't want me predicting their grades. I think some of my own students wouldn't want it.

    I think we are damned if we go completely one way or the other. A leaving cert should go ahead with predicted grades as a backup plan. Students can opt for sole leaving cert results or a grade made up of analysing both actual test result and teacher's prediction.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,398 ✭✭✭am_zarathustra


    Thank god somebody said it! I started in a new school myself this year. Over 300 students to learn about since September. I actually don't know my classes that well. I was only really getting to know them at Christmas. If the parents of the children in my 6th year class knew that I dont know their kids as well as they think, they wouldn't want me predicting their grades. I think some of my own students wouldn't want it.

    I think we are damned if we go completely one way or the other. A leaving cert should go ahead with predicted grades as a backup plan. Students can opt for sole leaving cert results or a grade made up of analysing both actual test result and teacher's prediction.

    I'd even be happy with 50/50 but I agree, take the exam grade in total or a 50/50 of teacher and exam. That seems fair. It's a bit like the interviews they do in colleges where someone has 69.1% and the external examiner can bring them up


  • Registered Users Posts: 968 ✭✭✭Str8outtaWuhan


    Triangle wrote: »
    This is the problem, they have their members interests at heart and not the people doing the LC. After all the stress these young folks have gone through this year - it's morally wrong to be playing games with their stress levels and emotions.
    They should hang their heads in shame.

    My eldest has gone through crap since Christmas and just wants to know what's going to happen. Its not the time to be playing games folks.

    A union putting their members first? that's a first :rolleyes:


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,337 ✭✭✭Wombatman


    For all intents and purposes predicted grades worked last year. Students moved on to college and what little furore there was, was short lived.

    Civil servants hate doing things that haven't been done before. Precited grades has precedent. It's the devil you know and will be irresistible.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,382 ✭✭✭✭rainbowtrout


    sue97 wrote: »
    Predicted grades were not fair last year. Norma Foley removed schools historic data thereby causing teachers to see unexplainable (to them) correction of their results. Teachers who gave honest grades saw good students arrive to resit exams in Nov due to points inflation. Students spent hours with grind teachers working for November and only 40% increased (how?) They were focusing on one or two subjects instead of seven or eight. If you look at November results for Maths for example, the number of students who got higher grades has reduced compared to the last three years.

    That's not to mention disclosing the students place in class after promising not to.

    There should never have been discussions about predicted grades at this stage. Orals were done for college courses over Zoom, they could have been done over Zoom for Leaving Cert. Kids who do not have access to the technology could go into their school and use the technology there.

    I don't blame the Unions on this. I think Norma is impulsive and does not think through her decisions.

    The DES are happy for us to teach online for the last few weeks as well as last year. So why can't orals take place online? It's a 10-15 minute conversation. There is a capability of recording calls on Zoom/Teams etc. Why is this not even being discussed?

    With regard to the November exams, I wouldn't place too much emphasis on the grades awarded in November v. a normal year. Students sat those exams for all sorts of reasons. Many only did 1 or 2 exams so had the time to study for them, some had no access to a teacher at all and studied by themselves. Some may have been downgraded in the calculated grades process and knew they could do better. Some may have been given a grade that they were more than happy with and took it and run.

    The H1s in the predicted grades were not going to be sitting the exams and while the predicted grades caused inflation I would say a general trend within a school the better academic students got higher grades/points than the average or weaker students. So those at the top end of the scale already had their H1s and were not going to sit the exam. The only ones you'd have had in that category were people who got perhaps a H2 or H3 who felt they would have got a H1, most would have already been accounted for, so there was never going to be a high H1 rate in the November exams. The cohort would not have reflected the cohort of students across the country as a whole.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,382 ✭✭✭✭rainbowtrout


    Thank god somebody said it! I started in a new school myself this year. Over 300 students to learn about since September. I actually don't know my classes that well. I was only really getting to know them at Christmas. If the parents of the children in my 6th year class knew that I dont know their kids as well as they think, they wouldn't want me predicting their grades. I think some of my own students wouldn't want it.

    I think we are damned if we go completely one way or the other. A leaving cert should go ahead with predicted grades as a backup plan. Students can opt for sole leaving cert results or a grade made up of analysing both actual test result and teacher's prediction.

    You wouldn't unique though. Plenty of teachers covering maternity and sick leaves would be stuck in this position too along with teachers new to a school. I'd imagine that Dec - May is possibly one of the most popular stretches for maternity leave (it is in my school anyway), there are plenty of people who had only started in jobs a few weeks when we went to lockdown. They can't even see the faces of their students let alone assess their abilities accurately.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,144 ✭✭✭Rosita


    Examiner reporting that NPHET is saying it's not the time to open schools. Not the Minister's day.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,144 ✭✭✭Rosita


    Triangle wrote: »
    This is the problem, they have their members interests at heart and not the people doing the LC. After all the stress these young folks have gone through this year - it's morally wrong to be playing games with their stress levels and emotions.
    They should hang their heads in shame.

    My eldest has gone through crap since Christmas and just wants to know what's going to happen. Its not the time to be playing games folks.

    Funny how you see no role for the Dept of Ed in this at all.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,382 ✭✭✭✭rainbowtrout


    Rosita wrote: »
    Examiner reporting that NPHET is saying it's not the time to open schools. Not the Minister's day.

    Does any of this crew actually communicate with each other? What are we supposed to take from all of this?

    Norma says schools reopening in January - has spoken to stakeholders - unions say 'No she hasn't'
    She finally stops bleating the mantra of 'schools are safe'
    Now she's got a plan to reopen, has largely got union support for reopening and now NPHET say 'Shouldn't be opening'

    What is going on? Does the DES talk to only one group at a time? NPHET or unions but not both? Do they accept some advice and completely ignore it when it suits them? Are they just making it up as they go along?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,103 ✭✭✭amacca


    Does any of this crew actually communicate with each other? What are we supposed to take from all of this?

    Norma says schools reopening in January - has spoken to stakeholders - unions say 'No she hasn't'
    She finally stops bleating the mantra of 'schools are safe'
    Now she's got a plan to reopen, has largely got union support for reopening and now NPHET say 'Shouldn't be opening'

    What is going on? Does the DES talk to only one group at a time? NPHET or unions but not both? Do they accept some advice and completely ignore it when it suits them? Are they just making it up as they go along?

    I know it's odd isn't it? ....it's like the only time they get to compare notes and find out what the other is thinking is after the press conference/press release/leak

    It doesn't scream unity......

    I wonder have the group's dealing with the minister/govt been so pissed off by their kite flying/jumping the gun/lack of spines/self interested PR spin related bungling - that has the potential to transfer blame off their shoulders to anyone that deals with them each group is taking steps to protect itself by stating their position out in the open in public so they can't be blamed and it's a matter of public record what they recommended etc

    Let the govt shoulder their responsibility

    They are hardly all working together to string it along long enough so thete is no option but to cancel exams :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,637 ✭✭✭joebloggs32


    Does any of this crew actually communicate with each other? What are we supposed to take from all of this?

    Norma says schools reopening in January - has spoken to stakeholders - unions say 'No she hasn't'
    She finally stops bleating the mantra of 'schools are safe'
    Now she's got a plan to reopen, has largely got union support for reopening and now NPHET say 'Shouldn't be opening'

    What is going on? Does the DES talk to only one group at a time? NPHET or unions but not both? Do they accept some advice and completely ignore it when it suits them? Are they just making it up as they go along?

    The union support was with a caveat.....that they would support the reopening if it was deemed safe to do so by public health advice.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 48,254 ✭✭✭✭km79


    Carl o brien reporting that the asti are back in LC talks with Norma tomorrow


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,337 ✭✭✭Wombatman




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  • Registered Users Posts: 506 ✭✭✭PoolDude


    And there you have it ASTI are worried about next year and future years. Are they worried about a precedent or is there something they might lose? Why aren’t they worried about solving this year - will a guarantee that the process will not be used again (unless there a pandemic) suffice

    They also said there wasn’t enough data for CG which was why they don’t support it but then also they would not rule anything out at this stage.

    Complete waffle on what numbers would suffice for a return to school when asked direct question on whether 200-400 range would be deemed safe. All she eventually got out was that that range was less than the 500 it was last week but not what was deemed acceptable

    Not a great interview - I’m more confused now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,056 ✭✭✭Icsics


    The DES are quite happy to throw teachers under the bus again this year, easiest cheapest option for them. Why not reduce all exam papers & run in July? It’ll cost money that’s why. CAO applications way up this year, impacted by last years LCs & their inflated points, the CAO system will explode if we introduce another cohort with inflated points. NF meeting unions ‘in person’ tomorrow, where was she all week?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,398 ✭✭✭am_zarathustra


    PoolDude wrote: »
    And there you have it ASTI are worried about next year and future years. Are they worried about a precedent or is there something they might lose? Why aren’t they worried about solving this year - will a guarantee that the process will not be used again (unless there a pandemic) suffice

    They also said there wasn’t enough data for CG which was why they don’t support it but then also they would not rule anything out at this stage.

    Not a great interview - I’m more confused now.

    It can't be used alone, as in the only viable option, given its so early in the year is CG. Why only discuss this option, the timing of the exams makes them more time sensitive. That's where you start, if you have even a vague intention of running them. 50/50 makes sense, a smaller, vaguer terminal exam based on the coursework with lots of choice and externally examined with CG based on teachers grading and assessment the other 50% combine and standardise from the exam curve.

    CG puts little pressure on the DES or SEC, it's easy, that's why it's being pushed. It's not the fairest or best method by any metric


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,144 ✭✭✭Rosita


    PoolDude wrote: »

    - will a guarantee that the process will not be used again suffice

    .


    How would that guarantee work?


  • Registered Users Posts: 506 ✭✭✭PoolDude


    It can't be used alone, as in the only viable option, given its so early in the year is CG. Why only discuss this option, the timing of the exams makes them more time sensitive. That's where you start, if you have even a vague intention of running them. 50/50 makes sense, a smaller, vaguer terminal exam based on the coursework with lots of choice and externally examined with CG based on teachers grading and assessment the other 50% combine and standardise from the exam curve.

    CG puts little pressure on the DES or SEC, it's easy, that's why it's being pushed. It's not the fairest or best method by any metric

    You see there clarity and logic to that but the lady on TV provided none of that or any clarity on anything she was asked. I’d be very disappointed if she was representing me. Maybe it’s not her strength but then wheel someone who can answer questions out


  • Registered Users Posts: 506 ✭✭✭PoolDude


    Rosita wrote: »
    How would that guarantee work?

    You deleted the condition I included from what you quoted but essentially that would need to be negotiated if they are at the table but my question is why is the focus on not just next year but future years - are they protecting something they fear losing. Surely it’s a separate topic, I.e. leaving cert reform which government and academics have expressed is needed


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,398 ✭✭✭am_zarathustra


    PoolDude wrote: »
    You see there clarity and logic to that but the lady on TV provided none of that or any clarity on anything she was asked. I’d be very disappointed if she was representing me. Maybe it’s not her strength but then wheel someone who can answer questions out

    I think that's what they are plugging for or something similar. I think this makes sense, it would flag odd outlier too, say where a teacher gives a very high or very low grade that doesn't correspond to the exam. It would present its own issues but far fewer than either alone I feel. Last year I would have just ran the exams, they had the whole course covered in a lot of subjects but I was very comfortable with CG because I had so much consistent, clear and unbiased data. The kids didn't know they were being monitored, because they weren't, so cheating was non existent. The half and half would be a good catchall and would give a decent approximation.

    Piggott is strong but I'm not always sure about her ability as an orator. I'm actually in a TUI school but I respect the fact ASTI have stuck to their guns far more in recent years.


  • Registered Users Posts: 506 ✭✭✭PoolDude


    Just reading ISSU statement and watching the video - ASTI are only stakeholder that has still not engaged directly with them or responded to their invitations


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,382 ✭✭✭✭rainbowtrout


    The union support was with a caveat.....that they would support the reopening if it was deemed safe to do so by public health advice.

    I get that, but why say there is a plan to open the schools after midterm and then have NPHET say 'nope, we didn't recommend this?'


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,620 ✭✭✭Treppen


    PoolDude wrote: »
    You see there clarity and logic to that but the lady on TV provided none of that or any clarity on anything she was asked. I’d be very disappointed if she was representing me. Maybe it’s not her strength but then wheel someone who can answer questions out

    Jeez you're very critical of the unions as if you're minister has no case to answer


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