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 credits (35%)
Final examinations credits (34%)
Total credits (100%)
Certificate awarded at three levels:
Pass % ( credits)
Merit (70-84 %) ( credits)
Distinction ( %) ( credits)

7. Assessment Modules Requirements 90% attendance
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. Assessment Final Examinations
English and Communications credits
Oral plus Written incorporating audio visual
Vocational Specialisms (2) credits (each)
Practical and Written
Languages (2) credits (each)
Oral plus Written incorporating aural
Social Education credits
Written incorporating audio
Mathematical Applications credits
Written
(Research Topic Q.2 issued in advance)
Total credits

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 Requirements Credits for Tasks
Evidence of task completion
Individual task report
Individual presentation of task at interview with external examiner
7 tasks in total
Credits for Tasks
1 Voc Prep task 10 credits (5%)
2 Voc Ed tasks 10 credits each (5%)
1 General Ed task 10 credits (5%)
1 Personal Reflection task 10 credits (5%)
1 Contemporary Issue task 10 credits (5%)
1 Practical Achievement task 10 credits (5%)

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: Fax:
Website: (click on Leaving Certificate Applied tab).
Harry Freeman

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

17. 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
Why I chose
LCA
I loved the idea of doing projects and assignments in LCA so that’s why I chose to
do it. Darren
I chose to do LCA because I enjoyed doing project work and
independent research. Tara
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 decided to do LCA because I felt it would help me learn more about life today. Suzanne
I had heard that LCA was mainly based
on continuous assessment. That was
very appealing to me Tanya

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
RESPONSIBILTY
LEAVING CERTIFICATE APPLIED STUDENTS
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