Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement
At the end of their three years of Junior Cycle, students receive a Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA). The JCPA reflects wide range of your child’s achievements. The JCPA will report on:
Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs)
Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) provide students with opportunities to demonstrate their learning and skills in ways not possible in a pen and paper examination, for example, their verbal communication and investigation skills. CBAs will be undertaken in subjects and short courses and will be facilitated by the classroom teacher.
CBAs will be undertaken during a defined time period within normal class contact time and to a national timetable. Students will complete one CBA in second year and one in third year in most subjects. CBAs will be reported on in the JCPA using the following descriptors:
- Exceptional
- Above Expectations
- In Line with Expectations
- Yet to Meet Expectations
State Examinations
Students do exams in each of their subjects at the end of third year. Maths, English, and Irish are assessed at Higher and Ordinary level, and all other subjects are assessed at Common level only. State Exam results will be reported on the JCPA using the following descriptors:
- Distinction (90 to 100%)
- Higher Merit (75 to 89%)
- Merit (55 to 74%)
- Achieved (40 to 54%)
- Partially Achieved (20 to 39%)
- Not graded (0 to 19%)
Other Areas of Learning
Students will have the opportunity to engage with a range of other learning experiences as part of their Junior Cycle Programme and their learning can be reported on the JCPA. Other Areas of Learning play a critical role in ensuring that students are provided with a broad and balanced educational experience.
Wellbeing
This area of learning includes, amongst others, Physical Education (PE), Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE), Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) [including Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE)] and Guidance. Learning in Wellbeing is reported on the JCPA.
Level 2 Learning Programme
Some students with additional education needs may have the opportunity to follow a Level 2 Learning Programme (L2LP) over the course of their Junior Cycle. Learning is assessed in the form of a portfolio and reported on the JCPA.
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