Research Papers 2020
Academic Selection
- Date: 18/12/2020
The purpose of this paper is to provide the Education Committee with an overview of the selective school system in Northern Ireland. The paper will consider the history of academic selection and the lead up to the current system of two privately run exams. The paper will also consider the administration and structure of both exams as well as their validity and comparability. It will examine the impact of academic selection on educational outcomes for children, particularly how it may affect those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The paper will explore implications of the selective school system for key stakeholders - children parents and teachers. Finally, it will finish by briefly exploring any implications that the current system may have for children’s rights and the broader purposes of education.
