Junior Cycle English short story question sparks criticism from teachers
English teachers have criticised the inclusion of an 'unwise and unfair' short story question that appeared on this year's Junior Cycle exam paper this week.
Many students reported their surprise at the question on the higher-level paper, which asked students to outline how a setting has a vital influence oin a short story they studied.
The Irish National Organisation for Teachers of English (INOTE) said it 'noted with dismay' the question exclusively on short stories.
Students will have encountered short stories during their three-year study, and the study of short stories is required by the English specification, it added.
'However, practically in the classroom, short stories are rarely studied in the deep analytical way required of the exam paper.'
Short stories are often read for enjoyment or as "stepping stones" to studying longer fiction texts, rather than for detailed narrative analysis, INOTE added.
"Additionally, and sensibly, most students would instead have concentrated on their two studied novels, their studied Shakespeare play, their studied film and the array of poems they would have prepared for the exam."
It would have been much fairer to pose a question about how the setting was used in a short story or a novel read by students, it added.
"Narrowing the focus to short stories exclusively will have disadvantaged a significant number of students, something we absolutely reject as useful in a Junior Cycle exam."
INOTE said it has felt disappointed every year with some of the questions asked in the Junior Cycle English exam, which are "either much too narrow in focus or much too ambitious in scope to allow meaningful student engagement."
"Our students deserve the time and opportunity to showcase their learning rather than being punished by an exam that sometimes seems, whether intentionally or not, designed to catch them out," it added.
A spokesman for the State Examinations Commission (SEC) it has been assured the exam, including the short story question, was "fully within the scope of the specification and in keeping with the aims, objectives and learning outcomes for Junior Cycle English."
He added that commentary and correspondence on the examinations from students, parents, teachers, professional bodies, and other interested parties is a normal part of the examination process.
"Such observations regarding test instruments are an intrinsic part of the feedback that we would expect to receive in any year. All observations received in relation to a subject are reviewed by the Chief Examiner in the context of preparing the marking scheme for that subject."
The marking scheme will be published, as will the marking schemes in all other subjects, after the issue of the Junior Cycle results, he added.
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Irish Examiner
21 hours ago
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Junior Cycle English short story question sparks criticism from teachers
English teachers have criticised the inclusion of an 'unwise and unfair' short story question that appeared on this year's Junior Cycle exam paper this week. Many students reported their surprise at the question on the higher-level paper, which asked students to outline how a setting has a vital influence oin a short story they studied. The Irish National Organisation for Teachers of English (INOTE) said it 'noted with dismay' the question exclusively on short stories. Students will have encountered short stories during their three-year study, and the study of short stories is required by the English specification, it added. 'However, practically in the classroom, short stories are rarely studied in the deep analytical way required of the exam paper.' Short stories are often read for enjoyment or as "stepping stones" to studying longer fiction texts, rather than for detailed narrative analysis, INOTE added. "Additionally, and sensibly, most students would instead have concentrated on their two studied novels, their studied Shakespeare play, their studied film and the array of poems they would have prepared for the exam." It would have been much fairer to pose a question about how the setting was used in a short story or a novel read by students, it added. "Narrowing the focus to short stories exclusively will have disadvantaged a significant number of students, something we absolutely reject as useful in a Junior Cycle exam." INOTE said it has felt disappointed every year with some of the questions asked in the Junior Cycle English exam, which are "either much too narrow in focus or much too ambitious in scope to allow meaningful student engagement." "Our students deserve the time and opportunity to showcase their learning rather than being punished by an exam that sometimes seems, whether intentionally or not, designed to catch them out," it added. A spokesman for the State Examinations Commission (SEC) it has been assured the exam, including the short story question, was "fully within the scope of the specification and in keeping with the aims, objectives and learning outcomes for Junior Cycle English." He added that commentary and correspondence on the examinations from students, parents, teachers, professional bodies, and other interested parties is a normal part of the examination process. "Such observations regarding test instruments are an intrinsic part of the feedback that we would expect to receive in any year. All observations received in relation to a subject are reviewed by the Chief Examiner in the context of preparing the marking scheme for that subject." The marking scheme will be published, as will the marking schemes in all other subjects, after the issue of the Junior Cycle results, he added. Read More 41646145[/readmore[
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State exams body defends ‘curveball' short story question in Junior Cycle English paper
The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has defended the inclusion of a question on short stories that sparked controversy in the Junior Cycle English paper on the basis that it was 'fully within the scope' of the curriculum. In Wednesday's Junior Cycle English exam at higher level, candidates were asked to respond to a question about 'any short story they had studied'. It was worth 15 marks from a total of 180 marks for the exam. [ Classroom to College: our essential newletter on the State exams for parents, guardians and students ] However, many students reported that they had not studied any short stories during their three years of the Junior Cycle and left the question blank, while parents reported that children felt upset and confused in the middle of their first ever State exam. While many teachers have covered short stories, others said they have not on the basis that they struggle to cover the full curriculum of the revised Junior Cycle English specification, which has been examined for all candidates since 2017. A question on short stories has not come up in the exam in recent years. READ MORE A SEC spokesman said it was assured that the questions was 'fully within the scope of the specification and in keeping with the aims, objectives and learning outcomes for Junior Cycle English.' The spokesman said its exam papers and draft marking schemes are developed through a 'rigorous development process' and those involved are 'experts in the subject who are also experienced teachers.' The spokesman also noted that the Junior Cycle English specification includes guidelines for teachers on the choice of texts which should be studied by students in first year, and by those in second and third year. 'The specification includes short stories among the texts which must be studied by students in both first and second/third year,' he said. In addition, he pointed to the Department of Education list of prescribed materials for the second and third year of Junior Cycle English which issued to schools in 2022 for those sitting this year's exam. This circular states that 'second and third year students MUST study texts as described' and includes 'a number of short stories' in the list of texts. In the case of novels, films and dramas to be studied for examination, teachers choose from those on the prescribed lists as set out in the circular. In the case of poetry, short stories, and non-literary texts teachers have the freedom to choose specific examples. The spokesman noted that 'commentary and correspondence on the examinations from students, parents, teachers, professional bodies, and other interested parties' will be reviewed by the subject's chief examiner in the context of preparing the marking scheme, 'The approach taken by the SEC to the development of marking schemes ensures consistency in the marking and fairness to all candidates. The marking scheme will be published, as will the marking schemes in all other subjects, after the issue of the Junior Cycle results. About 60,000 students sat the higher level Junior Cycle English paper. While some teachers described the inclusion of the question as a 'curveball', most overall said they were happy with a 'balanced' and 'fair' exam.
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