Transition Year at BCC
Mission Statement of Transition Year
“To promote the personal, social, vocational, and educational development of students and to prepare them for their role as autonomous and participative members of society”
(Dept of Education , Transition Year Guidelines 1994/1995 )
Transition Year is a valuable year for all students for the following reasons:
- To provide a learning structure which allows students time to mature and develop
- To develop a wide range of cognitive and emotional skills
- To provide experiential learning
- To challenge students in all areas of development
- To facilitate interdisciplinary and cross-curricular links
- To develop life skills
- To enable students to become independent, self-directed and self-regulated learners
- To provide students with the time and space to move from Junior Cycle to Senior Cycle
- To give students space to reflect and plan in relation to their career path and subsequent decisions on subject choices
- Given chances to develop new competencies
- To prepare students for challenges that lie ahead
Transition Year …….
LEARNING LED not EXAM DRIVEN
STUDENT FOCUSED
TEACHERS’ EXPERTISE IS USED
INDIVIDUAL SYLLABII WRITTEN
VARIED TEACHING & LEARNING
VARIED MODES/TECHNIQUES OF ASSESSMENT
Benefits associated with Completion of TY
Leaving Certificate :
- More Informed on Subject Choice
- Independent self-directed learning
- Assessment (AFL)/Self assessment
- CAO choices/Course requirements
Third Level :
- Self management skills
- Time management skills
- Study skills –independent self-directed
- Group/Project work/Research skills
- C.T. skills
Adult and Working life :
- Self esteem/awareness/assertiveness
- Relationships
- Teamwork Skills
- Maturity/critical judgement
- Careers/Work experience/Work simulation
- Interviews – V.,
- Social/Personal/Health Education
NCCA Longitutidal Study
- On average, students who took part in TY achieved higher Leaving Certificate exam grades and were more likely to go on to higher education than non-participants, all else being equal.
- Transition Year is found to have definite academic benefits for students and is thought by the majority of principals nationally to have a positive impact on student development.
Perceptions of Outcomes of T.Y. :
- Students more mature as result of TY experience
- Promotes young people’s confidence
- Improves bond between classmates
- Facilitates better relationship between students and teachers
- Opportunities to explore adult & working life seen as distinct benefits
- Teachers indicate that TY has positive impact on school climate