Sir, – The conflict in the different approaches to examining knowledge attainment at Leaving Cert level has featured in articles in The Irish Times in recent days. Paul Crone is critical of the methodology applied and the stresses imposed on students with the current system (“Why do we still inflict the Leaving Cert on students?”, Opinion & Analysis, August 23rd). He poses many questions but provides little by way of specifics on how alternative assessment might be delivered.
Enforced changes to Leaving Cert assessment occurred during the pandemic involving teachers assessing marks for their own students, along with a greater choice in questions provided. The inflated grading system that arose in the process has led to concern among senior university staff to believe it is now essential to quickly return to the pre-pandemic grading (“Call for tougher grading as dropout rates climb”, News, August 24th). The high grades caused difficulty in fairly differentiating between able candidates for courses having restricted entry coupled with a recent high dropout rate from third level.
Nonetheless, this year’s grades have been artificially inflated by 8 per cent on foot of a directive from the Minister of Education.
A suitable alternative to the Leaving Certificate may emerge in time that will provide an effective system that can measure and yet enable people to attain the level they can achieve. Meanwhile, rather than accentuating any stresses regarding the current system, the positives in progressing through this significant challenge in the young person’s life should be emphasised.
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The experience gained will be of benefit in meeting and coping with new challenges that life will throw across their way, not least any third-level exams they may encounter in the following years. – Yours, etc,
KEVIN McLOUGHLIN,
Ballina,
Co Mayo.
Sir, – Minister for Education Norma Foley has told us many times that she had “made the determination” (to ease the path of exams for post-Covid students). I think she may have meant that she decided. – Yours, etc,
MARION WALSH,
Donnybrook,
Dublin 4.
Sir, – What’s the point in adjusting upwards the Leaving Cert results? All that it does is increase the points required for third-level courses. It smacks of populism.
I wouldn’t have been surprised if, when the recent adjustment was announced, a voiceover had stated that “This is an initiative of the Government of Ireland”.
What’s even more objectionable is that it makes my Leaving Cert results back in the early 1980s look worse. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN CULLEN,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.
Sir, – Although I understand why Leaving Cert scores remain at inflated levels, the decision of Ofqual ( Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) to return close to 2019 A-level grade boundaries has put UK, and in particular, English, applicants to Irish universities at a significant disadvantage.
Students who have applied in good faith, including my daughter, now find that her strong A-level grades are unlikely to be competitive enough to achieve the CAO scores she needs to gain a place at her preferred Irish university. Surely A-level and International Baccalaureate scores should be adjusted to take into account the discrepancy between these qualifications and the Leaving Cert? – Yours, etc,
ANDREW CLARK,
Woodbridge,
England.
Sir, – By invoking the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Leaving Certificate grades can be safely inflated by ministerial diktat until at least August 2033.
After all, the Class of 2033 faced a very specific set of circumstances. Several months of their junior infant schooling took place remotely. – Yours, etc,
MARK COEN,
Windy Arbour,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – It is with amazement, wonder, and consternation that I read the annual accounts of those magnificent students who achieve 600-plus points. They are worthy of your coverage and deserve all the points they received and obviously worked hard for.
My point is this – what about those students who achieved more than they ever hoped or expected to, but whose points and grades are way below the top achievers?
The student who was thinking of leaving school after their Junior Cert but for some reason stayed on and managed through determination, with maybe a little extra encouragement from a thoughtful teacher, to achieve an overall pass.
Or the student who overcame a personal struggle to sit all of their exams and passed enough to springboard on to an apprenticeship programme.
What about the student whose points on paper are nothing remarkable, but in reality are way above anything they ever thought they could achieve?
I use the word achievement over and over, because every Leaving Certificate is an achievement.
Some students will of course be disappointed in their own performance, others will feel let down by our educational system, others may find the act of sitting an exam does not reflect their ability and knowledge. But for every student who achieves extraordinarily high points, there are hundreds, maybe thousands, whose achievement of lower points is just as amazing, just as incredible, and in my opinion, equally worthy of your coverage.
Maybe next year you’ll consider interviewing some of those students whose stories will inspire others to do their best. Because sometimes your own personal best is enough. – Yours, etc,
FIONA QUINN,
Deansgrange,
Co Dublin.