XLC (External Learning Community)
Aim: The XLC Project aims to offer mainstream Junior Certificate and Leaving
Certificate syllabi to students who wish to sit these examinations but who have
been excluded from or dropped out of school due to personal circumstances.
The objectives of the Project are to:
1. Mediate the Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate
syllabi at a level where students are experiencing success.
2. Build on the individual strengths of the students.
3. Devise timetabled classes covering Junior & Leaving
Certificate courses.
4. Identify the specific difficulties or learning problems
of each student and respond to them effectively.
5. Process students for examinations and to set up examination
centres.
6. Develop effective outreach programmes for students with
special problems.
7. Develop resources to enable students to study on their
own or in peer groups.
8. Instil confidence in the students by ensuring high levels
of success in their preparation for the examinations.
9. Monitor and regulate each student’s progress.
Activities undertaken to achieve these objectives
Classes are held on a daily basis from 9:00am to 1:00pm for the Junior Certificate
and Leaving Certificate Courses. Students participate in a minimum of seven
subjects, which are carefully selected with them, based on their personal strengths
and interests. Tuition is delivered in small groups and on an individual basis
using innovative methodologies including visual aids, information technology
and music. Appropriate resources are developed to assist the learning styles
of the individual students. In the afternoon, the students take part in a study
group from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. During this time, the students assist one another
in learning the contents of the course. On Friday mornings, all of the young
people undertake tests on the material covered in the week. These tests are
used to highlight progress for the students and to motivate them based on their
success.
Outputs of your activities
Each young person will attend classes on a minimum basis of 16 hours each week.
They will receive a high ratio of small group and individual tuition during
this time.
The students will undertake assigned follow up work and study in each area
or subject being undertaken.
Each young person will work on a minimum of seven subjects at Junior Certificate
or Leaving Certificate level.
All of the young people will actually sit their exams in June.
The benefits/outcomes of this project for children and/or young people
Each of the young people will be competent to take examinations in seven subjects
at Junior Certificate or Leaving Certificate level.
Each of the students will actually sit the exams in their appropriate level.
Each student will successfully pass in the seven subjects undertaken as a minimum
achievement but with an expected higher level of achievement.
The young people will have gained in confidence through experiencing success
in preparing for their exams and in successfully completing them.
The young people will have a far greater awareness and appreciation of their
personal strengths and in their ability to achieve. When they learn to believe
in themselves, they do very well and excel in the programme.
Other project outcomes
A model for an alternative approach will have been developed which can be duplicated
and utilised elsewhere.
A range of support materials will have been developed and fine-tuned.
The success experienced by the young people themselves will be transferred
into other areas of their lives and will be integrated in their futures.
The experience of success will have a direct bearing on the expected and actual
achievements of other siblings and the wider family. One woman commented that
attending and achieving XLC gave her son back!
The community will benefit from the effects of higher self-esteem, which results
for individuals from the Project.
Because the young people are doing well they stay out of trouble.
Some of the alternative approaches will hopefully be integrated into the formal
education system.
Other tutors will have been developed within the Project who can continue the
work and its ethos.
The reasons why there is a need for this project
It is clear that the system is failing many students. As they fall by the wayside
they become more and more marginalized and excluded. The XLC Programme is imperative
in order to progress these young people into mainstream society.
There is no other agency, which caters for young people who left school early
and want to return to school. In it’s approach to these young people,
the XLC Programme is unique.
Students want to attend XLC. They remain with the project and have very positive
experiences which impact on their home lives. They keep in contact with the
staff and the people they have met through the programme indicating that it
has great meaning for them.
XLC is successful. It identifies its goals and achieves them.
Project management
The Project has a Management Committee, which oversees its development and
delivery. They meet on a bi-monthly basis to discuss and monitor the project
and to make necessary decisions. This Management Committee prepares reports
for the Board of Waterford Regional Youth Service and Waterford Area Partnership.
Project staffing
The Project will be staffed by two full time tutors who deliver various aspects
of the programme. Additional tutors will be recruited, as they are required
to deliver specific subjects and courses.
Project location
The Project will be located at the Edmund Rice Youth & Community Centre,
Manor Street, Waterford.
Two classrooms are provided by Waterford Regional Youth Service as well as
tables, chairs, access to computers etc.
School Terms
The XLC Project operates for three terms, September to December, January to
Easter, Easter to June, which is equivalent to the normal school term.
Financial management systems
The financial affairs of the XLC Project are administered in line with the
systems operated by Waterford Regional Youth Service. In this system, receipts
are kept for every cheque written and a computerized record is maintained of
every transaction. Financial statements are prepared for every Board meeting
and the account is audited annually.
Summary:
The XLC Project provides an alternative approach for early school leavers to
access the Junior and Leaving Certificate examinations. It operates on a Monday
to Thursday basis from 9:30am to 1:00pm for Junior Cert and Leaving Cert Courses.
The sessions are followed by afternoon study and peer mentoring for students
doing honours or needing extra help in subjects. Tests are held on Friday mornings
from 10:00am to 1:00pm to measure progress and to give feedback on further needs.
Individual work is devised for those studying at home and students follow up
on this. This is monitored and developed according to the individual.
The XLC Project directly assists young people to integrate into mainstream
society by assisting them to gain the necessary academic qualification to enable
them to participate in work, training and further education. The XLC Project
employs new and innovative methods of work which are young-person centred, which
build on their strengths and which guarantee them success. On a practical basis,
the participant in the XLC Project takes part in a structured programme, which
is flexible enough to work with them as individuals and to meet their specific
needs. The basis of the XLC Project is that each young person is sufficiently
gifted to learn and to contribute. Where failures occur, the teaching methods
are questioned rather than the ability of the student.
The XLC Project is currently engaging many students in Junior Certificate and
Leaving Certificate Courses. It is expected that these students will achieve
success. The students concerned have been expelled from school or have refused
to go. As a target group they are perhaps one of the most difficult to engage.
However, the XLC Project in this regard has proven itself to be unique, effective
and successful.
