Transition Year

Transition Year (TY) (Irish: "Idirbhlian") is an optional one-year programme that can be taken in the year after the Junior Certificate in the Republic of Ireland and is intended to make the senior cycle a three year programme encompassing both Transition Year and Leaving CertificateCircular M31/93, Department of Education, Ireland, 1993] . Transition Year was created as a result of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress which called for a six-year cycle of post-primary educationProgramme for Economic and Social Progress, Government of Ireland, Dublin, 1991] . The mission statement of the Transition Year is:

:"To promote the personal, social, educational and vocational development of pupils and to prepare them for their role as autonomous, participative and responsible members of society."Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools, Department of Education and Science, Ireland, 2004]

Transition Year was introduced as a pilot project in September 1974, however it was not until September 1994 that the programme was introduced mainstream. Transition Year is not examined, but rather is assessed, and is intended to be a broad educational experience which assists in the transition from the school environment by encouraging creativity and responsibility for oneself. Approximately 75% of second-level schools offer the programme [http://oasis.gov.ie/education/post_primary_education/transition_year.html Oasis - Information on Public Services, The Transition Year (accessed April 2006)] ] and it consists of both education and work experience. Schools generally set admissions criteria and design the programme based on local needs in accordance with departmental guidelines. It is also said that if students opt to do TY then their Leaving Certificate results could increase. It also gives students previously unknown confidence within themselves.

The year focuses on many non-academic subjects, such as life skills including: First Aid, cooking and typing. A lot of sport goes on, with many different types including: rock-climbing, hill-walking, kayaking and orienteering. Voluntary Work is a requirement in many schools, with students helping out in local communities and charities. It is not possible to fail Transition Year overall: all students continue to their next year of education no matter what their results.

Amongst students, the Transition Year programme is frequently referred to as a "doss", meaning it does not demand much work and students can relax during it.

Available subjects

Below are the list of subjects available to Transition Year students, though most schools only offer a limited number.

Modern languages

* English
* French
* German
* Irish
* Italian
* Spanish

ciences

* Agricultural Science
* Mathematics

Applied Sciences

* Applied Mathematics
* Construction Studies
* Engineering
* Home Economics
* Technical drawing

Business Studies

* Business

Arts and Humanities

* Art, Craft & Design
* Geography
* History
* Music
* Religious Education
* Physical Education
* Social, Personal and Health Education
* Career Guidance
* Information Technology

Advantages of Transition Year

Transition Year could be considered to be a year for maturity and development. Activities such as work experience, mountain climbing, and mini-company encourage growth and teamwork within the student body.

New skills will also be learned through a 28 week skill programme where the student must learn a new skill such as playing a new instrument or learning a life skill such as sign language.

Students who undergo Transition Year statistically do better in the Leaving Certificate.

Criticism of Transition Year

The Department of Education and Science has asserted that most teachers and principals are not really challenging students in Transition Year, based on official figures from a WSE report: "There was evidence that the content of certain subject areas lacked substance and that students were not being sufficiently challenged. It is strongly recommended that a root and branch review of the programme be undertaken." [" [http://www.independent.ie/education/latest-news/schools-cutting-back-on-class-time-get-a-ticking-off-in-report-740500.html Schools cutting back on class time get a ticking off in report] " "Irish Independent". URL last accessed 2008-03-16]

References

External links

* [http://www.ncte.ie/transition/ NCTE - Transition Year Curriculum Support Service]
* [http://www.transitionsoftware.co.uk/school_transition.html Resources for School Transition]