Final Report of the Evaluation of the Pupil Learning Credits Pilot ...

26
We examined whether there were statistically significant associations between being
in a PLC school and learner confidence. In Year 9, pupils in PLC schools tended to
agree more than those in comparison schools that they were ‘good at using computers
to look for information’ and that they were ‘good at working on their own’; there
were also two independent associations: pupils not eligible for Free School Meals
showed more agreement with these two statements than those eligible; boys also
tended to express more agreement with both statements than girls.
In Year 11, pupils in PLC schools expressed a greater preference for doing more
practical work at school, whilst pupils in comparison schools expressed more positive
views about working in a team. In terms of independent associations, boys were
more positive than girls in relation to wanting more practical work.
Staying with the theme of confidence, Table 5 presents a series of statements often
used as more general indicators of self-esteem (Reid, 1982; Francis, 1998; Davies and
Brember, 1999). Pupils were asked whether they agreed, were unsure or disagreed
with each statement.
Table 5. Percentage of pupils who agreed with statements about themselves
Statement
PLC schools
(N=1743-
1760)
Year 9
% of pupils
Comparison
schools
(N=1691-
1700)
PLC schools
(N=2249-
2263)
Year 11
% of pupils
Comparison
schools
(N=1136-
1144)
I have a good time at 80 79 77 74
home
I ask the teacher if I 73 68 74 70
don’t understand
something
If I have something to 60 59 64 63
say, I usually say it
I am popular with 54 55 65 63
people my own age
There are lots of things 42 42 39 43
about myself I would
change
I find it very hard to 24 25 21 22
talk to the class
Things are all mixed 22 24 28 28
up in my life
I often feel lonely at 7 9 7 7
school
Sample sizes are less than 1793 and 1745 for pupils in PLC schools and pupils in comparison schools
in Year 9 and 2348 and 1174 respectively for Year 11 as not all respondents answered all questions.
As can be seen from Table 5, around seven out of ten of the pupils reported that they
had a good time at home and that they asked the teacher if they did not understand
something. At the other end of the spectrum, around four out of ten pupils agreed