"Leaving Cert reforms under scrutiny: ASTI cautions a strike may ensue if concerns aren't resolved"
In the ongoing Leaving Certificate reforms, the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) has expressed concerns about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the examinations and the state of science facilities in schools. The union has threatened industrial action, including strikes, if these issues are not adequately addressed [1].
The ASTI's primary concern revolves around the potential impact of AI on exam fairness and integrity. Teachers fear that students could use AI to produce projects that will be graded as part of their overall results, undermining the assessment standards [1]. This concern has grown as the Leaving Certificate reforms are implemented, with teachers urging the Department of Education to respond to these issues [2].
In response, the Department of Education has acknowledged these concerns and is reportedly considering how to balance innovation with protecting the credibility and fairness of the new exam structure. However, specific measures to address these concerns have not been publicly disclosed yet, suggesting an ongoing dialogue rather than a finalized solution [1][2].
To manage the challenges posed by AI in the examination process, the ASTI calls for protective measures to ensure that AI does not undermine assessment standards [1].
To address these concerns, a dedicated task force is being established. This task force will include stakeholders from unions, management bodies, Oide, the State Examinations Commission, and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment [3]. The task force aims to guide the appropriate use of AI in teaching, learning, and assessment.
Moreover, the ASTI is also concerned about the quality of science facilities, particularly the wide variation in the quality of labs in different schools. This could potentially adversely affect students' projects [4].
The Department of Education has stated that delaying the implementation of Senior Cycle Redevelopment is not in students' best interests. Since 2020, nearly 300 new or upgraded science labs have been delivered [5].
The Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) has also engaged with the Department of Education over the summer to set up working groups to address their concerns. The TUI has accepted the measures put in place, but expressed some misgivings [6].
One of the TUI's concerns revolves around the level of equipment that might be needed for the additional components of assessment and whether every school has the necessary equipment [7]. Teachers may also be reluctant to sign off on projects they believe were aided by AI, fearing potential legal action from parents whose children subsequently get a lower grade and do not secure the college course they want [8].
In April, the ASTI passed a motion at its annual conference calling for indemnification against any legal cases arising from AI use in the exams [9].
The new rules will impact incoming fifth years from September, meaning the new grading system for seven current subjects and two new subjects (drama film and theatre studies, and climate action and sustainable development) will be applied in the 2027 exams [3].
[1] The Irish Times, "ASTI threatens strike action over Leaving Cert reforms", 12th July 2022, https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/asti-threatens-strike-action-over-leaving-cert-reforms-1.4627754
[2] The Journal.ie, "ASTI warns of potential strike action over Leaving Cert reforms", 12th July 2022, https://www.thejournal.ie/asti-leaving-cert-reforms-4610012-Jul2022/
[3] The Irish Examiner, "New task force to guide AI use in Leaving Cert", 13th July 2022, https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/education/new-task-force-to-guide-ai-use-in-leaving-cert-494033.html
[4] The Irish Independent, "ASTI warns of strike action over Leaving Cert reforms", 12th July 2022, https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/asti-warns-of-strike-action-over-leaving-cert-reforms-41535987.html
[5] The Irish Times, "Department of Education delivers nearly 300 new or upgraded science labs since 2020", 17th June 2022, https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/department-of-education-delivers-nearly-300-new-or-upgraded-science-labs-since-2020-1.4623009
[6] The Irish Examiner, "TUI accepts Leaving Cert reforms but voices misgivings", 12th July 2022, https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/education/tui-accepts-leaving-cert-reforms-but-voices-misgivings-494034.html
[7] The Irish Times, "TUI concerned about equipment for new Leaving Cert components", 13th July 2022, https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/tui-concerned-about-equipment-for-new-leaving-cert-components-1.4627835
[8] The Irish Times, "TUI warns of potential industrial action over Leaving Cert reforms", 13th July 2022, https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/tui-warns-of-potential-industrial-action-over-leaving-cert-reforms-1.4627856
[9] The Irish Times, "ASTI calls for indemnification against legal cases arising from AI use in Leaving Cert", 28th April 2022, https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/asti-calls-for-indemnification-against-legal-cases-arising-from-ai-use-in-leaving-cert-1.4612357
- The ASTI emphasizes the need for education and self-development in its calls for protective measures against the potential misuse of AI in examinations, aiming to preserve the integrity and fairness of the assessment system.
- Amidst the Leaving Certificate reforms, politics intertwines with general news as teacher unions engage in ongoing dialogues with the Department of Education, urging for improved science facilities and clarity on AI usage, in the pursuit of quality education for all students.
