Significant reforms to be introduced to Leaving Cert cycle in September

The announcement was made today that a new points scale for entry to third-level courses is due to be introduced this September.

The overhaul to the CAO regime and the reform to the Leaving Cert grading system has been described as the most significant of its kind in over twenty years by the Department of Education.

The new grading system sees a reduction in the number of grades- dropping from 14 to eight- meaning the current A1/A2 to F/NG grades will be replaced with a numerical table.

The system, which will come into play for students beginning fifth year this September, includes a significant difference which sees the awarding of points to a paper which garnered 30 to 39% at higher level.

Expressing concern regarding public perception of the changes, Minister for Education, Jan O' Sullivan said: "I hope that the changes proposed will not result in unhelpful and misplaced commentary about ‘rewarding failure’ which does our students a real disservice."

Commented on the previous framework, the Minister goes on to say: "We have created a situation where a student who could achieve say 39 per cent on a higher level paper will get absolutely no CAO points for entry into higher education, while a student with the same ability but unwilling to take the risk who gets a C on an ordinary level paper gets points for that result."

While acknowledging that the state exam should be challenging, the Department of Education hopes the changes will alleviate pressure for students, with the Minister saying: "The current system of 14 grades increases pressure on students. The majority of grades are separated by just 5 per cent, resulting in students striving to gain minimal percentage increases to achieve higher grades."

Praising the new reforms, the Minister feels the change will reward students at all levels, saying: "All examination results are a measure of a level of achievement, whether at ordinary or higher level."