Student Experiences of the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme

PATHWAYS INTO LCA 41When I went into first year I was great, as soon as I went into second year it was,just getting into trouble an awful lot. (Rebecca, 21, dropped out of LCA,home duties)Roy experienced no problems in his first year but found that hisbehaviour and general disruption in the class worsened from second yearonwards:First year was grand, you know…just like listening, do everything and then…ittook off from that….it all started, went crazy altogether then. Books would bethrown around the place, chairs, everything. (Roy, 22, dropped out of LCA,unemployed)Some of this group referred to their peers as influencing theirmisbehaviour and disruption in class. Tim believed he was part of a groupwho had recurring disciplinary problems:Well it was like you know, disruption, things like that, disrupting classes,throwing things around, because I got in with wrong crowd at one point.Did you ever like have, to get suspended or anything like that?A few times…I was in trouble like as well at lunch time and there was a fewtimes I was arrested in school as well. (Tim, 21, completed LCA,unemployed)The majority of those interviewed, however, felt they were quiet inschool with no disruption to class and with a good record of attendance.Jackie reflected on how she gave her teachers respect at all times:I was never in trouble, I never was cheeky or bold to teachers, I was always likedecent and respectful to them. I always said hello and thank you and all that.(Jackie, 22, completed LCA, home duties)It is interesting to note that many respondents felt they sat quietly inclass in junior cycle, despite feeling ‘picked on’ by their teachers or‘ignored’:I didn’t get along with the teacher, I think that’s why I didn’t, didn’t like it like,it was like as if she always picked on me and all, you know so I just sat at theback of the class, didn’t do anything….I wouldn’t cause trouble, I was just sittingthere. (Rebecca, 21, dropped out of LCA, home duties)Most of them [teachers] just ignored you, like I used to have like, you know thewalkmans on, you know listening to the music in class, I’d have my hood up andwalking around and the teacher would…just say nothing like you know. (Roy,22, dropped out of LCA, unemployed)4.3.4 STUDENTS WHO WISH TO ENTER THE LABOURMARKETWe identified young people who wish to enter the labour market as anothercategory of LCA entrant. This group does not intend going to college anddoes not want or feel able to complete the LCE. The longitudinal datashow that students who take LCA tend to have lower educational