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Significant numbers of second-level teachers have fears and doubts about incoming Leaving Cert reform, believing it will lead to more stress, larger workloads, and authentication issues.
Amid growing concerns about assessment integrity and artificial intelligence (AI), a new survey finds that many teachers fear Senior Cycle reforms will cause difficulties authenticating students’ work.
Many also believe the introduction of new project work, set to be worth 40% of a student’s overall grade in a subject, will increase stress and workloads for Leaving Cert students.
From September, these projects, called Additional Assessment Components (AACs), and other changes are due to begin rollout on a phased basis under ‘accelerated’ Leaving Cert reform plans previously announced by Education Minister Norma Foley.
A new survey of more than 2,700 teachers and members of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) highlights concerns about AACs, with many unhappy with the percentage of marks to be allocated. Almost 90% of all teachers who took part said the new Leaving Cert AACs will create difficulties when it comes to authenticating students’ work.
Carried out on behalf of the ASTI by RedC, the survey also found:
- More than 80% of all teachers surveyed believe guidance on AI is necessary before introducing AACs;
- Almost 80% believe guidance on authentication of students’ course work is necessary;
- More than 70% said smaller class sizes are necessary.
Teachers taking part in the survey were most likely to be teaching English or maths, but approximately one in 10 taking part were teachers of biology, history, Irish, or geography.
When asked what percentage of marks they would prefer to allocate to AACs — as opposed to the currently planned 40% — most teachers surveyed said 20% or less.
With the exception of French and home economics, most teachers surveyed said they were satisfied with the current number of marks allocated to students through project work for their subject.
Music, which sees 50% of a student’s marks assessed outside of a written exam currently, had the highest rating amongst teachers.
Teachers have real and significant concerns about aspects of the Senior Cycle redevelopment programme, according to ASTI president Donal Cremin.
“Teachers are telling us that there is a lack of knowledge and guidance on the use of AI and on the authentication of work submitted by students,” he said.
“These issues must be addressed before new Additional Assessment Components are introduced for the Leaving Cert.
“The survey findings are an alarm bell for the new government and the minister for education.
“Young people get one chance at the Leaving Cert and it is vital that any changes are fit for purpose.”
Teachers have raised concerns about AI and its potential misuse in education. As previously highlighted by the , many schools are ill-equipped to deal with AI technology due to a lack of clear directions.
The Department of Education is currently developing guidelines on the use of AI in education, which are expected to be issued to schools by the end of March.