Ráiteas ANDIÉ: Dul chun cinn le Torthaí na hArdteiste 2020
Tá díomá orainn go léir san ANDIÉ nach raibh guth na ndaltaí tógaithe san áireamh sa chinneadh seo, agus nach rabhamar coimeádaithe ar an eolas faoin gcinneadh seo roimh a fhógraíodh inné é (16ú Iúil).
Tá daltaí ag roinnt a gcuid smaointí linn agus beimid i dteagmháil leis an Roinn chun na smaointí sin a chur in iúl.
Is léir go bhfuil tábhacht leis an gcumarsáid agus na scoileanna dúnta ón 12ú Márta. Tá súil againn san aontas go leanfaidh an comhrá leis na páirtithe leasmhara ar aghaidh sna hamanna deacaire seo san oideachas.
Tá sé tábhachtach go bhfuil caidreamh láidir idir pháirtithe leasmhara agus an Roinn, agus is mór an trua é gur bhfuair daltaí na hArdteiste an t-eolas seo ó na meáin.
Cuirimid fáilte roimh an amlíne deimhnithe ach glacaimid go mbeidh tionchar diúltach aige seo ar chumas na ndaltaí ullmhú agus iad ag bogadh ar aghaidh sa saol. Ón bhfórógra tá daltaí na hArdteiste tar éis a gcuid smaointí a chur in iúl dúinn, agus tá súil againn go oibreoidh an Roinn chun tionchar diúltach an chinneadh seo a laghdú.
Déanaimid comhghairdeachas leis an t-Aire Foley agus í tar éis socruithe a dhéanamh le UCAS, ach tá sé ríthábhachtach treoirlínte a fháilt go luath chun cinntiú nach mbeidh míbhuntáiste ar dhaltaí atá ag iarradh a gcuid stáidéir a dhéanamh thar lear.
Glacaimid an chúis leis an moill seo, chun cinntiú go bhfuil na torthaí i mbliana ag an gcineál céanna le bhlianta eile - tá sé ríthábhachtach go bhfuil cáilíocht na ndaltaí ag leibhéal cothrom i gcomparáid le bhlianta eile agus glacaimid tábhacht an phróisis le seo.
Leanfaidh an ANDIÉ ag lorg freagraí ón Roinn agus tá súil againn go chinntóidh na himeachtaí seo go mbeidh caidreamh cumarsáide níos láidre ann sa todhchaí idir na ndaltaí agus páirtithe leasmhara eile.
ISSU Statement : Leaving Certificate Results Release and Progression
The ISSU is disappointed to not have been included in the discussion around the Leaving Certificate results release prior to it being announced on Thursday 16th July.
Students are sharing their queries and concerns with the ISSU and we will communicate these with the Department to seek clarity on all matters of concern as soon as possible.
The importance of effective collaboration and communication has been pivotal since the closure of schools on March 12th. The ISSU would hope for this approach of engagement with all stakeholders to continue going forward in navigating through this difficult time in education. Students are understandably frustrated that this information has come completely out of the blue through media sources, without a centralised line of communication.
We welcome the fact that a clear timeline has been announced and students now know when they will have their results. However, with the release of results being delayed by three weeks, this will undoubtedly have a negative impact for some students in their ability to prepare for the transition to the next step in their education. Since the announcement, concerns have been expressed by students on the difficulties this may cause in securing accommodation and the financial implications this delay could have. We expect the Department to work to address and find remedies to these impacts so students may progress to the next stages of their lives.
We congratulate Minister Foley on reaching an agreement with UCAS, however it is imperative that the guidelines on procedures for students applying overseas is disseminated as soon as possible to ascertain that these students will not be disadvantaged.
We are aware that the reason for the delay is that these results need to be able to stand up to scrutiny and to ensure the integrity of the Leaving Certificate State Examinations - it is vital that students' qualifications are of an equal standard to other years and we recognise the national standardisation process is essential in ensuing this.
The ISSU will continue to seek answers to these questions from the Department and we hope that these series of events will ensure there is a stronger line of communication and consultation between students and other stakeholders going forward.
Leaving Cert Students - ISSU Needs You!
Survey on Projects & Practical Work
Since the announcement made by Minister Joe McHugh in relation to the postponements of exams, the ISSU is working with the Department of Education and other stakeholders in order to ensure that this decision is fair and just for everyone.
We are now part of a working group developed by the Department of Education, which will discuss specific areas related to the decision to postpone exams.
One of these areas is Projects and Practical Work. We have had a very mixed response from students on this and we want to collect some data in order to clarify what the student response is on this issue.
This survey is only to be filled out by Leaving Certificate 2020 students.
PLEASE NOTE: There are many questions which students have raised since the decision to postpone exams was announced and we are consistently raising ALL of your concerns, this is just one of these questions which we want to get more clarification from our members on. This survey relates solely to the scenario where exams are taking place in the summer.
Survey link HERE
ISSU Update on the 2020 State Examinations #ClarificationNow
Following the announcement regarding the 2020 State Examinations, from the Minister for Education and Skills on Friday the 10th of April, the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) has been working with the Department of Education and Skills and all stakeholders in order to ensure that student voice is heard and that decisions made are fair and just.
We have raised your concerns and recommendations and are happy to announce that some progress has been made. Today, Friday 17th April, the Department of Education and Skills launched a working group with education stakeholders to discuss the implications and logistics of the decision to postpone examinations. Following this meeting the Department issued a press release stating the following:
‘The Department of Education and Skills today (Friday 17 April 2020) met with a range of stakeholders as part of planning for the State Examinations in response to the COVID-19 public health measures.
The meeting involved representatives of students, parents, teachers, school leadership and management bodies, the State Examinations Commission, the National Educational Psychological Service and the Department.
A series of further meetings will be held over the coming weeks as part of consideration and planning for the revised arrangements for the examinations, taking account of public health advice.
The Higher Education Authority is also observing at the meetings with the intention of feeding back to consultations it is involved with across the third level sector.
Further information for students about the decisions taken to date with regard to the State Examinations can be found at the State Examinations Commissions frequently asked questions document. https://examinations.ie/?l=en&mc=ex&sc=cov’
The ISSU will continue to work with the Department of Education and other stakeholders in order to ensure that student voices are heard and that decisions made leave no student behind.
ISSU Statement on the 2020 State Examinations Survey Report #ClarificationNow
The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) is continually striving for the clarity needed on the 2020 State Examinations contingency plan.
In response to the release of our ISSU State Examinations 2020 survey report the ISSU wishes to note;
The ISSU is just one of the many stakeholders who are working with the Department of Education on this issue. The ISSU alone does not have the power to change or implement plans for State Examinations, but we are working proactively with the Department, it’s bodies and other stakeholders in the education system to ensure the fairest solution for all students is found. A core aim of the ISSU is to represent all second-level students across Ireland and to ensure fairness and equality in the education system.
The results from the survey are reflective of the submissions from over 46,000 students in examination years. The survey took place over 6 days, and was shared to our 400 member schools and 36 Regional Officers to disseminate among students. The survey received significant coverage on social media and the resulting response equates to a sample of almost 37% of all students taking exams. This sample is significant, particularly given the amount of time afforded to the ISSU to consult with students, and is the largest survey response the union has ever received. The ISSU is working on behalf of students based on this significant input, however the recommendations provided at the end of this report have been given as a reflection of the submissions received and are in no way deemed to be the opinions of those who did not fill out the survey or submit their views.
There is considerable opposition to a proposal for predicted grading among Leaving Certificate students, which is also shared by other representative stakeholders. The ISSU recognises these concerns and is working to address these.
Similarly, there is a majority in opposition to sitting Leaving Certificate exams in June as planned. Students have missed valuable contact time with teachers and fallen behind on project and practical work. If exams do go ahead, provisions and revised plans for assessment must be introduced, including a “No Detriment” policy as proposed by the ISSU and third-level student unions.
The ISSU has provided recommendations on a variety of possible outcomes for the State Examinations contingency plans. These recommendations have been directly shaped by student feedback and are proposed to secure fairness and equality for all in decision-making.
The ISSU will continue to advocate that students, as key stakeholders in their education, are consulted and included in any decisions to be made regarding their education in the coming weeks and months.
ISSU State Examinations Survey Results: Students Call for Cancellation of Exams, with Some Concerns
From Thursday 26th March to Wednesday April 1st 2020, the ISSU ran a survey aimed at Junior and Leaving Certificate Students asking them what they wanted to see happen with the upcoming state examinations.
The response was enormous, with over 46,000 students responding to the survey alone in the short time frame, and hundreds more inputting their views via email and social media.
The key findings of the survey include;
Junior Certificate students are vastly in favour of cancellation of the upcoming exams, and for predicted grades along with already-completed coursework to decide their final grades. 77% of students chose this as their preferred solution
The largest amount of Leaving Certificate students are also in favour of cancellation of exams, and for predicted grades along with coursework to define their final grade. 49% of students chose this as their preferred solution.
There is a significant minority of Leaving Certificate students who are against a solution involving predicted grades. Indeed there is a large polarisation between students who want to sit an exam at some stage in the coming months, versus those who do not.
All students want immediate clarity from the Department of Education on if and how the State Exams will be run.
The ISSU will be advocating on behalf of students based off the results of this survey, and looking to address the concerns shared by many students, particularly regarding predicted grading.
Where the main recommendations of this survey may not be possible, the ISSU will advocate for the next most favoured option among students.
The ISSU will now look to cooperate with the Department of Education & Skills and other educational stakeholders to find a solution that will alleviate the stress and uncertainty that has faced students in recent weeks, and be as fair as possible to all students.
The entire report including further analysis of the survey and the ISSU’s recommendations to the Department of Education & Skills can be read here:
