UK study assigns Leaving Cert high A-level ratings

Leaving Cert grades in each subject will be recognised as being worth about two-thirds of a British A-level, an expert group …

Leaving Cert grades in each subject will be recognised as being worth about two-thirds of a British A-level, an expert group has found, write Seán Flynn and John Downes.

The group found that the standard in the Leaving Cert English exam - which will be taken by almost 54,000 students tomorrow - is similar to that in A-level English.

But it also said that the courses in Leaving Cert maths and chemistry covered only about two-thirds of the material studied as part of the A-level exam.

Overall, the Oxford university study - intended as a guide for British colleges - says a Leaving Cert grade is worth about 66 per cent of an A-level equivalent grade.

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Irish educationalists say the decision confirms the high international standing of the Leaving Cert exam.

Broadly, English A levels are regarded by educationalists as being of 1st year undergraduate standard in the Republic. However, whereas most British students take three A levels, most Leaving Cert students take at least seven subjects.

The findings of the study should make it easier for the 2,000 or so Irish students applying for places in the British system. At present, these applications are dealt with on an individual basis by each college. But all UCAS colleges have been informed of the results of the study and they are expected to use it from next September.

The study was conducted by the education department at Oxford in conjunction with the Department of Education and Science and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, which advises the Minister, Mr Dempsey. It has been requested by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), the British equivalent of the CAO.

Meanwhile, the secondary school system could struggle to cope with proposed changes to the Leaving Cert unless they are introduced on a phased basis, school managers have warned.

Under plans to be presented to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) this week, all Leaving Cert subjects will be revised, with greater emphasis on a variety of assessment methods.

However, according to Mr George O'Callaghan, general secretary of the Joint Managerial Body (JMB), which represents the majority of secondary school managers, increased use of methods such as continuous assessment might lead to less teaching days in schools.

"Pupils need to have exposure to teaching over the full 167 days [of the current school year]," he said. "If new forms of assessment are introduced, it is important that they would not impact on the number of teaching days."

He said it was also important that any changes to the curriculum be introduced on a phased basis.

The new Leaving Certificate curriculum is likely to emphasise skills such as critical thinking, working with others, communication and information processing.

Following this week's meeting, the NCCA is expected to recommend the proposed changes to the Minister for Education and Science, Mr Dempsey.

However, even if he decides to accept the proposals, it could take several years for a new curriculum to be introduced, with some suggesting 2010 as a possible start-date.