The Department of Education has taken the unprecedented step of sending out sample 1997 English Leaving Certificate examination answers to all secondary schools to give them an idea of how the exam was marked last year.
This move follows the controversy over the marking of the 1997 English exam, with teachers and parents, especially in the midlands, organising meetings and protests about the perceived poor marks given to many talented pupils.
The Department has now sent a pack to schools containing examples from last year's exam to show how a typical English paper was marked at the various grades, complete with a commentary explaining the marking system.
The commentary explains the marking for the different elements in the paper - fiction, drama and poetry - at grades A to D. It relates the marking to the student's ability to answer the questions, use of language and mastery of spelling.
The pack also contains the chief examiner's report on the exam and a report from him to the Minister for Education explaining the operation of the appeals procedure, including the reasons why students were upgraded or not upgraded.
The main secondary teachers' union, the ASTI, last night welcomed the issuing of the pack as the fulfilment of a promise made by the Minister, Mr Martin.