Radical changes in key Leaving Cert subjects, with a new emphasis on practical and project work, are proposed by an advisory body to the Minister for Education.
Under the plan, 20 to 25 per cent of all marks in history, geography and home economics would be awarded for course and project work over the Leaving Cert cycle.
Project work from students would be assessed by Department of Education examiners, according to proposals from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). This group advises the Minister, Dr Woods, on assessment procedures.
In a confidential report, the NCCA says the introduction of course work would allow the Leaving Cert to examine "a wider range of knowledge, skills and understanding". It is also required to bring the Republic into line with best international practice.
The NCCA also hints that some effort should be made to ensure that marks for project work are broadly consistent with marks in the written exam. One source said: "We must be careful that students are not just submitting material culled from the Internet or wherever . . There must be some consistency in grades."
In practical terms this means that some effort will be made to ensure that the overall distribution of marks for project work will be broadly consistent with the marks for written work.
The NCCA hopes that the introduction of project work will help to reverse the fall-off in numbers studying history at Leaving Cert level. The pressure for the increased use of project work and continuous assessment has been building in recent years. The Department is anxious to reduce the stress of the Leaving Cert written exams in June.
The 1999 Points Commission report on the selection process for third level said a "a greater use of course work, projects, orals, practicals, field work and portfolio assessment" should be included in the Leaving Cert.
The NCCA has previously said that the Leaving Cert, which still relies almost totally on written work, needs to be overhauled in order to present a more rounded picture of student achievement.
In this discussion paper, the NCCA again notes the failure to introduce any practical/continuous assessment in science subjects. The Republic is one of the few modern states which has still to incorporate some practical element in science exams, something which may explain the continuing fall-off in interest among Leaving Cert pupils in these subjects.
The NCCA wants the new project work element to be in place as new syllabi in history, geography and home economic come on stream over the next two years. It is hoped the Leaving Cert of 2003 will incorporate the new reforms.
The NCCA, under its new chief executive, Ms Anne Looney, is expected to push for other reforms of the Junior and Leaving Cert in the next year.