Step 2 School alignment of marks

School alignment of marks (Step 2)

In this step of the process, subject teachers together review the teachers’ estimated percentage marks for students who are taking that subject. Following this element of the alignment process, each teacher will finalise the estimated percentage marks. If there is only one teacher of the subject in the school, the subject teacher conducts the in-school alignment process with the Deputy Principal of the school or another teacher of the same subject in the school, who does not have a Leaving Certificate class in 2021, subject to the agreement of the school principal.

What is the purpose of school alignment of marks?

The purpose of school alignment of marks is to ensure that:

• the process of estimating percentage marks within a class is correctly and consistently applied by each teacher.
• the teachers have applied consistent standards when estimating marks; this may result in some variations in patterns of attainment across different classes taking the same subject within the school.

How is the school alignment process organised?

Prior to the alignment process, each subject teacher of a Leaving Certificate class group drafts the initial estimated percentage marks for each of her/his students and class groups.

Teachers will need to demonstrate that no two students are placed on the same estimated percentage mark. Where there is more than one examination component in the subject, teachers will have regard to the written element and the additional assessment component(s). Percentage marks may include up to two decimal places, i.e. 83.22%, 83.33%, etc. Teachers will demonstrate that no two students, at each level (Higher, Ordinary and Foundation) are placed on the same estimated percentage mark.

The alignment process in 2021 will be conducted in two phases.

• Phase one: Phase one of the subject alignment process will take place during the period 14 May to Friday 28 May. During this phase, the teachers may individually prepare for subject alignment meetings including reviewing records of work and available information, and may commence the subject alignment process without impacting on tuition time.
• Phase two: Phase two of the subject alignment process will take place in the week beginning 31 May 2021. From the 31 May to 3 June, schools will finalise the alignment process and prepare the estimated percentage marks for transmission to the SEC by 3 June.

What happens during the alignment process?

A consultative engagement that is inclusive of all the relevant teachers, who are teaching the subject to sixth-year Leaving Certificate students in 2021, is put in place. The alignment process should be designed in a way that enables group reflection and discussion by the teachers of a particular subject (the subject alignment group) with a focus on ensuring that the process of arriving at estimated marks has been consistently and correctly applied and that marks have been properly aligned for all students of the subject.

What is the next step in the alignment process?

Following the consultative engagement, each teacher reviews his/her class group data set (i.e. estimated percentage marks), adjusts if necessary, and finalises a completed estimated mark form for each student in the class group. These individual student forms are then submitted to the school principal through the subject alignment group as the product of the subject alignment process.

It should be noted that in the course of the process only the class teacher can change the estimated mark for a student/students in their class group/s.

Read the complete text version of A Guide to State Examinations and Accredited Grades for Leaving Certificate 2021 or download a pdf copy below: