Pathways Through the Junior Cycle

The second year of the junior cycle has often been seen as one in which students 'drift'. Students have settled into post-primary education but are not yet faced with the Junior Certificate examination. This book explores whether students do actually drift or disengage from schoolwork during second year, highlighting important differences among groups of students in terms of their individual characteristics and school experiences. The book draws on students' own accounts of second year to present a detailed picture of their life in school. It is based on an ongoing longitudinal study of post-primary students, building on the 'Moving Up' study of first year students. It provides a unique insight into the way in which school and classroom experiences influence changing attitudes to school as students move through the junior cycle. It highlights what schools can do to enhance student learning and engagement and indicates issues for policy development. The book will be of interest to policy-makers, school management, teachers, parents and anyone with an interest in education.