Introduction: The education system in Ireland has always been a notable point of disagreement. It has been at the center of numerous debates and reforms. Many of these initiatives were heralded as exemplary feats of innovation and reform in the early days and then appear to deteriorate rapidly over time. Even our success stories appear as isolated pockets of excellence that are as likely to atrophy as they are to thrive (Fullan, 2001). The power to select and shape the curriculum in Ireland has remained predominantly in the hands of a privileged few. As a result, the values ​​and rationale behind the Irish curriculum have consistently lacked consultation, partnership and connectivity with the real drivers and objectives of the initiatives. This has led to the repeated introduction of new reforms and the repeated failures of these reforms in the most vicious of cyclical processes. As we stand on the brink of truly radical educational reform, this paper will illustrate how the NCCA is transcending past failures and resistance to change from sectoral interests to create educational reform that, if supported politically and locally, will change the fabric of the education system and Irish society. This will be done by critically evaluating the importance of consultation/partnership for successful reforms, the approach the NCCA is taking and ultimately the values ​​of these proposed changes and how they compare to the current school culture and curriculum. According to Fullan “the failure to institutionalize an innovation is at the basis of the disappearance of many reforms”. (Fullan, 2001, p748) Like any true reform of a system, it requires partnership and consultation with all bodies involved. It can be said of past reforms that this has never happened. ...... middle of paper ...... Educational Policy in Twentieth Century Ireland, Dublin: Wolfhound PressOECD, (2010) Education in Brief: Ireland, Paris: OECDPerters, RS (1966) The philosophy of education. The Study of Education, London: Routledge & Kegan PaulPosner, G. (1998) 'Models of curriculum Planning'. In Beyer, L. and Apple, M. (eds.) The Curriculum. Problems, politics and possibilities (2nd ed.). New York: State University of New York Press.Stenhouse, L. (1975) An Introduction to Curriculum Research and Development, London: Heinemann.Stoll, L., Fink, D. (1995) Changing Our Schools, Buckingham: Open University PressTUI, (2013) http://www.tui.ie/news-events/tuis-junior-cert-concerns-irish-independent-opinion-editorial-by-tui-president-gerard-craughwell.4897.html [Accessed : November 25, 2013] King, W. (2013). http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/King_Whitney_Jr./ [Accessed: November 25 2013].