Student Experiences of the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme

SCHOOL EXPERIENCES AND LEARNING PROCESSES AMONG LCA PARTICIPANTS 65Figure 5.5: Comparison of Schoolwork and Homework in Sixth Year withExperiences in Fifth Year, as Reported by Students807060%5040302010Harder/more timeSameEasier/less time0LCA LCE/LCVP LCA LCE/LCVPSchoolworkHomeworkSource: Post-Primary Longitudinal Study (PPLS) database.For the most part, LCA and LCE/LCVP students take very differentsubjects. However, it is possible to compare perceptions of English andMaths between the two groups. In both fifth and sixth year, LCA studentsare less likely to find English and Maths difficult than other students (seeFigure 5.6). They are also more likely to find these subjects interesting anduseful, perhaps reflecting the different approach taken to these subjects inthe LCA programme.Figure 5.6: Attitudes to English and Maths in Sixth Year100908070s% of school605040LCALCE/LCVP3020100Maths difficultEnglishdifficultMathsinterestingEnglishinterestingMaths usefulEnglish usefulSource: Post-Primary Longitudinal Study (PPLS) database.The issue of appropriate standards within a curriculum is a complexone. If the coursework is too easy, a student may experience insufficientchallenge and consequently underperform relative to their potential.Conversely, if the coursework is too difficult, a student may struggle tokeep up with their schoolwork and become disengaged or fatalistic aboutthe prospect of success. It is clear from our findings that students findLCA coursework easier than the junior cycle curriculum. They are also