Student Experiences of the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme

34 ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE?expectations, students from lower streams in junior cycle are more likely toenter LCA (Post-Primary Longitudinal Study (PPLS) database).Figure 4.3: LCA Take-up by Ability Group50.040.030.0%20.010.00.0Mixed ability Higher stream Middle stream Lower streamSource: Post-Primary Longitudinal Study (PPLS) database.The qualitative interviews highlight the role of the school in selectingstudents specifically from lower streamed classes into LCA. The majority ofthose interviewed had attended schools with streamed classes from first orsecond year and thought the school did not approach middle and higherstreamed groups regarding LCA entry. Some respondents believed theirschools simply approached lower streamed classes with the option of LCA.Linda’s school had streamed classes throughout junior cycle and out of fiveclasses she was placed in the middle class. She explained how the careerguidance counsellor had not visited the two highest streamed classes to talkabout LCA:I was [class] three anyway, our group was three you know, there’d be like, one tofive, five would be like highest level… I’d say four and five because I knew acouple of girls that were in four and five and they said no, like, the career guidanceteacher wasn’t in with us, he could have went in from three to one, you know whatI mean like, to see if we’d do the course like. (Linda, 21, completed LCA,student)Sandra also thought that only lower streamed classes were targeted eventhough she felt students in other classes wished to take LCA:Well the way we took it, and even now when I still think, you think were we inthe lowest class that’s why we were brought into it like, you know, say people thatwere in the A classes, why weren’t they brought into it like, like when a few ofthem did want to do it like, you know. (Sandra, 23, completed LCA, homeduties)The role of teachers, guidance counsellors and principals inrespondents’ decision to take LCA is examined further in Section 4.4.