Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 96: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an outline of the leaving certificate applied programme; when it was established; the number of students partaking in it over the past five years; the number of schools that offer the programme; the sections of the student population it is intended to cater for; the usefulness it has for students who come from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43685/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) was introduced to schools in 1995 and now caters for approximately 7% of the overall student cohort. Participation in recent years is as follows:- No of Schools offering LCA LCA Enrolment (2 year cohort) 2009/10 290 6,883 2008/9 293 7,097 2007/8 296 7,436 2006/7 293 7,498 2005/6 290 7,414

The LCA is a two-year programme designed for those students who do not wish to proceed directly to higher education or for those whose needs, aptitudes and learning styles are not fully catered for by the other two Leaving Certificate programmes. The programme offers integrated general education, vocational preparation and training and work experience. It does not provide for direct entry to higher education, but students can enter Post Leaving Certificate courses and progress from there to higher education.

An ESRI report "Engaging Young People? – Student experiences of the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme, was published in April 2010. It highlights that the LCA is targeted at students in the lower socio-economic groups who struggle with schoolwork, have had negative educational experiences in junior cycle, experience behavioural problems, wish to enter the labour market on leaving school, or have special needs. The study shows that the programme can act as a safety net for those at risk of early school leaving. Students are positive about the interactive teaching style in the programme, the practical focus, small class sizes, work experience, completion of tasks for assessment throughout the cycle and the provision for accumulation of credits. The programme also has higher rates of entry to Post Leaving Certificate programmes than is the case for other leavers, and higher rates of entry into employment. However, 18% of LCA leavers in 2005 were unemployed, compared with 11% of other Leaving Certificate leavers.

The study raises questions as to whether the process of tracking students into a differentiated curriculum in senior cycle which attracts a distinct social profile acts as a safety net and an effective progression route, or whether it reinforces inequity, and limits opportunity. The study recommends that the ring-fenced nature of LCA should be re-examined and students should be allowed to take subjects within the established Leaving Certificate as well as LCA options. The report was commissioned by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, and the issues raised are being examined as part of the ongoing review of senior cycle.

It must be borne in mind that the Leaving Certificate Applied is designed to address the needs of students who would not be progressing directly to higher education, and for whom the flexibility offered by LCA programmes is more suited to their needs than the established Leaving certificate programmes. I am convinced that LCA offers an integrated and coherent programme of learning which effectively reaches its target group, and has succeeded in providing a positive and motivating experience for many students who might otherwise be at risk of disengagement from school, or early school leaving.