[Maths-Education] Effects of the new AS arrangements for mathematics

[David Wright]

The most serious effect of the new AS arrangements is of course the huge
drop out rate from the first year. The consequences of this are likely to be
very serious for mathematics education if allowed to continue unchecked.
This appears to have been unpredicted by most agencies and the solutions are
not easy.  Evidence from the QCA suggests that the content of the course and
exams are not very different from the previous course, it is the context in
which students now have to study more other subjects and in which
mathematics is seen to be the most difficult to obtain good grades is
causing even able students to drop it in favour of 'easier' courses.

A further consequence that I have noticed is on the use of graphical
calculators for learning AS level mathematics. Because P1 now bars the use
of GCs in its exam, students are not buying them and teachers are not using
them in their teaching with consequences for their use in other modules and
for students learning. Has anyone any evidence of this?



David Wright
Education Officer: Curriculum Strategies
British Educational Communications and Technology agency(BECTa)
Milburn Hill Road
Science Park
Coventry
England
CV4 7JJ
+44(0)2476 416994
Mobile 07941 456340
david_wright@becta.org.uk 



**********************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify
the system manager.

This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by
MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses.

www.mimesweeper.com
**********************************************************************