ACCS/info Bulletin 37/19

Mon, Sep 2nd, 2019

The Secretary,
Board of Management and
School Principal in
each Community and Comprehensive School.

Members of the Executive of ACCS.

ACCS/info Bulletin 37/19

Re: Exemptions from Irish

The Department of Education and Skills has issued CL 0053/19, Exemptions in Irish Post Primary, which supersedes Circular M10/94 and the 2008 revision of that Circular. The purpose of this Circular is to advise Post-Primary Schools of the revised arrangements for the exemption of students from the study of Irish. The terms of this Circular will apply with effect from the beginning of the school year 2019/2020.

The main provisions of CL 0053/2019 include:

  • This circular recognises the authority devolved to the management authorities of special schools and mainstream schools where there are special classes in decision making concerning the Irish language learning needs of students enrolled in special schools or in special classes in mainstream schools.

  • The circumstances in which a student may be granted an exemption from the study of Irish.

  • Procedures for granting an exemption from the study of Irish.

  • Appeal.

  • Arrangements for students who are exempt from the study of Irish.

CL 0053/19 is accompanied by Exemptions from the Study of Irish: Guidelines for Post Primary Schools (English – Medium).   These Guidelines contain very useful Appendices and templates including a template Application Form to be completed and a template Certificate of Exemption:

The circumstances in which a student may be granted an exemption from the study of Irish

Exemption from the study of Irish may be allowed in the following exceptional circumstances only:

  1. students whose education up to 12 years of age (or up to and including the final year of their primary education) was received outside the State and where they did not have opportunity to engage in the study of Irish.

Or

  1. students who were previously enrolled as recognised students in a primary or post-primary school who are being re-enrolled after a period spent abroad, provided that at least three consecutive years have elapsed since the previous enrolment in the State and are at least 12 years of age on re-enrolment.

  2. Or

 students who:

i.) present with significant learning difficulties that are persistent despite having had access to a differentiated approach to language and literacy learning over time (Irish and, or, English). Documentary evidence to this effect, held by the school, should include Student Support Plans detailing

. regular reviews of learning needs as part of an ongoing cycle of assessment

. target-setting

. evidence-informed intervention and review, including test scores (word reading, reading comprehension, spelling, other scores of language/literacy) at key points of review.

And

ii) at the time of the application for exemption present with a Standardised Score on a discrete test in either Word Reading, Reading Comprehension or Spelling at/below the 10th percentile.

Procedures for granting an exemption from the study of Irish

A parent/guardian on behalf of a student or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, must make an application in writing to the Principal of the school for a Certificate of Exemption from the study of Irish.

Considering an application for exemption the Principal will:

  1. Ensure that the date of receipt of the application by the school is recorded on the form.

  2. Acknowledge receipt of the application for exemption from the study of Irish in writing.

  3. Discuss the written application with the parent(s)/guardian(s)/student and confirm the sub-paragraph on which the application is based (2.2a, 2.2b, 2.2c or 2.2d) as soon as practicable following receipt of a written application.

  4. Advise the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the next steps in processing the application.

  5. Inform the parent(s)/guardian(s)/student regarding any implications of an exemption from the study of Irish for the student while in post-primary education and into the future.

  6. Inform the parent(s)/guardian(s)/student that the application will be processed and the outcome confirmed in writing within 21 school days of receipt of the application.

  7. Explain to the parent(s)/guardian(s)/student that a signed Certificate of Exemption will issue where a decision is reached that an exemption from the study of Irish may be granted.

  8. Inform the parent(s)/guardian(s)/student that, where an application is refused, the school’s decision may be appealed to the Irish Exemptions Appeal Committee within 30 calendar days from the date the decision of the school was notified to the parent(s)/guardian(s)/student.

  9. Explain to the parent(s)/guardian(s)/student the arrangements for the student’s      learning in the case of an exemption being granted.

Appeal

Where the application for exemption from the study of Irish is refused, a parent/guardian/student can appeal the school’s decision to the Irish Exemptions Appeals Committee (IEAC). The deliberations of the IEAC will focus solely on the process the school engaged in in reaching its decision.

Arrangements for students who are exempt from the study of Irish

  • Schools, where appropriate, should take account of the literacy learning needs of students who are exempt from the study of Irish when deploying available special education teaching resources.

  • Students who are exempt from the study of Irish may also be allowed to substitute another subject, short course or area of learning for Irish.

  • To support inclusive practices, a student who is exempt from the study of Irish should be included in a meaningful way in aspects of Irish language and cultural activities in line with his/her ability and interests.

Schools are advised to familiarise themselves fully with the provisions of CL 0053/2019 and the accompanying Guidelines.

Is mise,
le mór mheas,



_________________
John Irwin,
General Secretary ACCS.

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Paul Thornton