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School Curriculum

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 September 2011

Thursday, 15 September 2011

Questions (66, 67)

Denis Naughten

Question:

64 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date on the implementation of project maths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24375/11]

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Written answers

Project Maths is a major programme of reform in mathematics in second level schools, which is designed to encourage better understanding of mathematics, to reinforce its practical relevance to everyday life, and to ensure better continuity between primary and second level, and junior and senior cycle. It began in 24 project schools in September 2008 and was introduced in all schools in September 2010.

Project Maths provides for a professional development model under which change will be implemented in various areas of maths on a phased basis. The curriculum will be phased in over a number of years covering the following five strands of mathematics:

Phase 1: Strand 1 — statistics and probability; Strand 2 — geometry and trigonometry;

Phase 2: Strand 3 — number; Strand 4 — algebra;

Phase 3: functions.

Strands 1 and 2 began in all schools in September 2010 for first examination in 2012 at Leaving Certificate and 2013 at Junior Certificate. Strands 3 and 4 will begin in 2011, and strand 5 will start in 2012.

A comprehensive programme of professional development is being provided for teachers. Support will be provided on a rolling basis as each strand of the curriculum is implemented, and will continue until at least 2013.

Project Maths, which was introduced into 24 selected schools in September 2008, was examined for the first time in 2010. The initiative encompasses a new model of curriculum development in which the various strands of the syllabus will be changed on a phased basis. Changes in assessment are aligned with changes in the syllabus and aim to underpin and support classroom practice.

In 2011 as part of the phased implementation of this curricular reform the State Examinations Commission (SEC) provided examinations at Higher, Ordinary and Foundation Level in Project Maths for 1,984 candidates — 318 at Higher Level, 1,437 at Ordinary Level and 231 at Foundation Level. Candidates for the 2011 Leaving Certificate examination in the 24 initial schools for project Maths have experienced phases 1 and 2 of this project, involving four of the five syllabus strands.

318 candidates for Project Maths took the examination at Higher Level. This represents 16% of the total candidature for Project Maths. When compared to the results of students in all other schools, this group has effectively the same proportion of A-grades, a substantially higher proportion at A/B/C, and a much lower proportion at E/F/NG

1,437 candidates for Project Maths took the examination at Ordinary Level. This represents 72.4% of the total candidature for Project Maths. When compared to the results of students in all other schools, this group has a slightly higher proportion of A-grades, a notably higher proportion at A/B/C, and a significantly lower proportion at E/F/NG.

231 candidates for Project Maths took the examination at Foundation Level. This represents 11.6% of the total candidature for Project Maths. When compared to the results of students in all other schools, this group has a slightly higher proportion of A-grades, a higher proportion at A/B/C, and approximately the same proportion at E/F/NG.

In 2011, candidates in the 24 Project Schools sat some Project Maths elements at Junior Certificate level. In Project Schools a significantly higher proportion of candidates presented at Higher Level (52%) as opposed to the proportion in the cohort as a whole (45.6%).

A/B/C levels in Project Maths are at 83.5% as opposed to 79.7% in Mathematics. At Ordinary Level E/F/NG rates are at 4.5% in Project Maths as opposed to 7% in Mathematics generally. The percentages scoring A at Higher Level is lower in Project Maths (13%) as opposed to Mathematics generally (17.4%). These trends mirror the patterns seen at Leaving Certificate Level.

Denis Naughten

Question:

65 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the report of the expert group on future skills needs regarding the level of achievement in maths among Irish students; if he will implement the recommendations of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24376/11]

View answer

The Report of the Expert Group called for the introduction of bonus points for Higher Level Mathematics in the Leaving Certificate. I am pleased to say that all third level institutions have collectively decided to operate a bonus points scheme for Higher Level Mathematics for a four year trial period from 2012 to 2015 with a review in 2014. A bonus of 25 points will be allocated to students who achieve a grade D3 or above in LC Higher Level mathematics.

As recommended in that report, Project Maths began in all second level schools in September 2010, building on the experiences of 24 Project Schools which started the programme in 2008. This is being supported by a national programme of professional development for teachers which began in 2009, and will continue to at least 2013.

A Project Maths Implementation Support Group, as an industry/education partnership, reported in 2010 on how stakeholders from business, second level and higher education can work together to achieve the objectives of Project Maths. The recommendations of this report are being progressed.

The Expert Group report also recommended additional professional development for teachers of mathematics. There has been significant investment in this to date. A national programme of professional development is under way for all Maths teachers. This began in 2008 for the 24 Project Maths schools, in 2009 for the mainstream schools and will continue to at least 2013. As part of this, intensive post graduate courses will be developed aimed at teachers who do not hold a major qualification in Maths.

My Department has produced The National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011-2020, "Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life" which is designed to promote a significant improvement in mathematical skills across primary and second level schools and will progress a number of the recommendations of the expert group including in relation to parental involvement, benchmarking and transition between primary and post-primary levels.

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