“In Ireland, students often spend a significant amount of time choosing which colleges they will list on their CAO form. What’s less common is colleges picking which students they’ll put in their classes. This is beginning to change …” (more)
[Louise Duffy, University Times, 2 May]
“A proposal to reform college admission says we have too many courses and too narrow a focus. Will academic councils be prepared to cut back? …” (more)
[Louise Holden, Irish Times, 30 April]
“Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn’s ability to improve secondary education will be constrained by parents’ desire for their children to go to university and by simple arithmetic …” (more)
[Brian Mooney, Irish Times, 30 April]
“I have written quite a bit recently, both here and in the papers about honours degrees, CAO entry points and the IoTs. My fundamental point is that there is a CAO points limit below which honours degrees should not be offered – a blurred limit to be sure …” (more)
[educationandstuff, 29 April]
“A Central Applications Office-style process for primary school places could be used to regulate enrolment practice, the professional body for primary school leaders has said …” (more)
[Louise Holden, Irish Times, 24 April]
“The recent proposals to government regarding the changes in university entrance procedures are to be welcomed but do not go far enough. The proposals in essence suggest that there be a shift away from the proliferation of courses with small numbers of available spaces, and towards a smaller number of more generalist courses …” (more)
[Brian M Lucey, 21 April]
“Applications to study science, technology and engineering at third level have increased significantly over the past five years. An analysis of CAO preferences by the Higher Education Authority also found that technology courses make up one fifth of all first preference applications this year …” (more)
[RTÉ News, 17 April]
“For years, higher level maths struggled in the popularity stakes among Junior and Leaving Cert students. Some decided the time and effort involved simply wasn’t worth it and that their energy was spent more usefully on subjects where CAO points were easier to notch up …” (more)
[Independent, 15 April]
“There has been a massive rise in the number of Junior Certificate candidates taking higher-level maths this year, as young students sharpen their focus on college and career choices …” (more)
[Independent, 15 April]
“Students, parents and teachers will have been interested to note the recent publication of a report, ‘Supporting a Better Transition from Second-Level to Higher Education: Key Directions and Next Steps’ …” (more)
[Independent, 10 April]
“The proposed changes to college entry are largely to be welcomed. Basically the plan is to (i) to reduce the number of denominated entry courses and move to a system based more on common entry, (ii) reduce the number of Leaving Cert grades, (iii) reduce the predictability of the exams …” (more)
[educationandstuff, 8 April]
“A significant reduction in degree programmes and an end to ‘problematic predictability’ in the Leaving Certificate have been announced as part of a major overhaul of the final State exam at second level and the third-level admissions system …” (more)
[Louise Holden, Irish Times, 28 March]
“Everyone wants to see perspective returning to the Leaving Cert but it’s all-or-nothing where reform is concerned. The education system is a complex and highly interdependent animal …” (more)
[Louise Holden, Irish Times, 28 March]
“The Leaving Certificate class of 2016 should have fewer high-point college degrees to choose from and should no longer be competing in exams for sub-grades just 5% apart …” (more)
[Niall Murray, Irish Examiner, 28 March]
“Many said it could never be done, and it certainly wasn’t going to be easy task for the brave, or foolish, souls who might attempt it …” (more)
[Independent, 28 March]
“Major changes in the Leaving Certificate and the college entry process are on the way for students entering fifth year in September 2014 as education chiefs move to take the heat out of the points race …” (more)
[Independent, 28 March]
“IBEC, the group that represents Irish business, today welcomed the broad thrust of Government proposals to improve the leaving certificate and the college entry system. If properly implemented, the proposals could improve second level teaching, shift the emphasis from rote learning and help students make more informed college subject choices …” (more)
[IBEC, 27 March]
“A major shake up in the points system will be phased in for students entering fifth year in September 2014 …” (more)
[Katherine Donnelly, Independent, 27 March]
“The Minister for Education & Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD is today announcing the progress made on supporting the transition between second level and higher education for students. Key stakeholders have been working collaboratively to address problem areas surrounding the change for young people moving from secondary school to third level …” (more)
[Department of Education and Skills, 27 March]
“Children from better-off backgrounds are snapping up even more college places as the gap between social classes widens …” (more)
[Independent, 20 March]
