Student Experiences of the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme

18 ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE?Trends in participation in the second year of senior cycle are similar(Figure 3.5), although LCA participants make up a smaller proportion ofsecond year than first year students (6.3 per cent compared with 7.8 percent in 2007). The reason for the discrepancy between the two sets of datarelates to differential attrition from the three Leaving Certificateprogrammes; this issue is discussed further in Section 3.4 below.Figure 3.5: Participation in Year Two of the Leaving Certificate, 1997-2007100.080.0%60.040.020.00.01997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007YearLCA LCE LCVPSource: DES Statistical Reports, various years; DES Education Statistics database.Among those who sat any form of Leaving Certificate exam, LCAcandidates make up around 7 per cent of the cohort (Figure 3.6). 2Although there has been an increase in this proportion over time, the figurehas remained relatively stable over the period since 2003.Figure 3.6: Proportion Taking LCA Among LC Examination Canditates,1997-2007%10.009.008.007.006.005.004.003.002.001.000.001997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007YearSource: DES Statistical Reports, various years; SEC Annual Reports, various years.2 In June 2008, 3,445 candidates completed the final LCA examinations.