1. Leaving Certificate Applied Overview The Professional Development Service for Teachers is funded by the Department of Education and Science under the National Development Plan

2. What is the Leaving Certificate Applied?  It is a distinct, self-contained two-year Leaving Certificate programme aimed at preparing learners for adult and working life  It emphasises forms of achievement and excellence which the established Leaving Certificate has not recognised in the past  It offers learners specific opportunity to prepare for and progress to further education and training

3. Key Underlying Principles  student centred curriculum  personal and social development  integration and cross curricular links  team work  literacy & numeracy development  active teaching/learning methodologies  reflection  community links

4. Vocational Specialism Options  Agriculture/Horticulture  Hotel Catering and Tourism  Engineering  Technology  Office Administration and Customer Care  Childcare/Community Care  Graphics and Construction Studies  Craft and Design  Hair and Beauty  Information and Communications Technology  Active Leisure Studies

5. ELECTIVE MODULES

6. Assessment 3 Modes Satisfactory completion of Modules 62 credits (31%) 7 Student tasks 70 credits (35%) Final examinations 68 credits (34%) Total 200 credits (100%) Certificate awarded at three levels: Pass60-69 %(120 - 139 credits) Merit(70-84 %)(140 - 169 credits) Distinction (85-100 %)(170 - 200 credits)

7. Assessment Modules Requirements 1.90% attendance 2.Evidence of completion of 4 key assignments for each module Credit  Modules of non-examination courses have a value of two credits  Modules of courses which have a final examination have a value of one credit Timing of assessment At the end of each session (Approximately 11 modules per session)

8. English and Communications 12 credits Oral plus Written incorporating audio visual Vocational Specialisms (2) 12 credits (each) Practical and Written Languages (2) 6 credits (each) Oral plus Written incorporating aural Social Education 10 credits Written incorporating audio Mathematical Applications 10 credits Written (Research Topic Q.2 issued in advance) Total 68 credits Assessment Final Examinations

9. STUDENT TASK Definition A practical activity by which learning is applied to : Types of Tasks  The development of a product  The investigation of an issue  The provision of a service  The staging of an event Purpose Vehicle for curriculum integration of as many courses as possible

10. Task Criteria  Substantial piece of work (10 hours activity per student excluding the report)  Individual task or group task (10 hours activity for each student)  Individual report on each task  Relevant  Doable within the time frame

11. Assessment Criteria for Task Report  Title  Statement of Aim  Action Plan  Research Activity Undertaken  Execution of the Task  Presentation and Analysis of Findings  Statement of Learning Outcomes  Evaluation of the Student’s own contribution  Integration Across the Curriculum

12. Assessment Tasks Credits for Tasks 1 Voc Prep task10 credits (5%) 2 Voc Ed tasks10 credits each (5%) 1 General Ed task10 credits (5%) 1 Personal Reflection task10 credits (5%) 1 Contemporary Issue task10 credits (5%) 1 Practical Achievement task10 credits (5%) Requirements  Evidence of task completion  Individual task report  Individual presentation of task at interview with external examiner  7 tasks in total

13. Timing of Tasks

14. LCA Support Induction 1 Day Workshops Half Day Cluster Meetings Modular Courses School Visits (on request) Network Meetings Website Newsletter

15. LCA Office LCA Office, Clare Education Centre, Government Buildings, Kilrush Road, Ennis, Co. Clare. Phone: 065-6845504 Fax: 065-6842930 Website: www.pdst.ie (click on Leaving Certificate Applied tab).www.pdst.ie Harry Freeman 0872908528 harryfreeman@pdst.ie

16. How LCA helped me “ I just feel with LCA you get better one on one teaching” “it was my foundation and helped me become what I am today ” I really loved the 4 sessions of work experience “It taught me about hidden skills and talents I had and it set me on the right career path ” “You also get to learn more about your self and what you’re capable of doing.” “I think it matures you a bit more and it really prepares you for when you leave school”

17. I decided to do LCA because I felt it would help me learn more about life today. Suzanne I wanted to do LCA because it was a more active course and was very different from the Traditional Leaving Certificate. Cathy I felt that there were more opportunities in LCA for me and I liked the idea of continual assessment. Kimberly What I liked about it was the fact that you got credits as you went along and I liked doing the tasks and assignments Danielle I chose to do LCA because I enjoyed doing project work and independent research. Tara I loved the idea of doing projects and assignments in LCA so that’s why I chose to do it. Darren I had heard that LCA was mainly based on continuous assessment. That was very appealing to me Tanya Why I chose LCA

18. Leaving Certificate Applied and the Local Community Learning in Leaving Certificate Applied involves students in many out-of-school activities including: Work Experience Enterprise Visits outside school Investigations in the community Working with community groups Outings e.g. outdoor education etc. Interviews Surveys Visitors etc.

19. Leaving Certificate Applied In-School Learning Experiences Learning in Leaving Certificate Applied involves students in new and different learning experiences in school including: Group work/Discussion Brainstorming Oral Presentations Visitor to the classroom Role Play Questionnaires/Surveys/Displays/Exhibitions

20. FREEDOM LEAVING CERTIFICATE APPLIED STUDENTS RESPONSIBILTY To engage in a different and new range of learning experiences both in and out of school To take personal responsibility for their learning and to approach all activities in a mature, responsible fashion