Early years maths review announced as senior years participation continues to drop
The federal government will review early years maths following concerns it’s ‘too complex’ as senior student STEM participation rates continue to fall.
The federal government has announced a review of the first three years of the maths curriculum in response to concerns from teachers and principals it is “too complex”.
As policy makers chip away at the foundations, academics have shared why the take up of specialist maths subjects in senior years continue to decline despite a national focus on boosting Australia’s future STEM workforce.
Education Minister Jason Clare announced the “keyhole surgery” review following a request from state and territory education ministers at a meeting in Brisbane on Friday.
“How maths is taught is really important,” Mr Clare said.
“It is cumulative – you learn it step by step.
“A number of principals and teachers have told us the current maths curriculum is too complex.
“Others have told us teachers need more support to implement the curriculum, with clear advice on what to teach in what order.”
A new version of the Australian curriculum, released in 2022, referenced “lifting standards” in Year 1 and “additional content setting expectations” for Year 2.
Mr Clare called for a back to basics approach to early years maths just three years after the curriculum was purposefully made more challenging.
The national curriculum authority ACARA will report back to education ministers in February next year with a scope for the review of foundation to Year 2 maths.
This year the Australian Mathematics Science Institute (AMSI) sounded the alarm on Australia’s poor STEM participation rates.
AMSI found declines of between two and five per cent in Year 12 participation rates for specialist maths subjects and physics since 2010 and 2013 respectively.
A recent study by Swinburne University STEM lecturer Dr Emily Cook found diverse reasons for the decline in Victorian students, ranging from emotional responses to maths and issues surrounding the cumulative nature of maths study.
“Maths is hierarchical and does have to be learned in a certain order,” Dr Cook said.
“Our research shows that if you miss something, it’s very hard to catch up, especially in specialist maths subjects.
“This dissuades many students.”
Dr Cook welcomed the early years reform.
“It could provide confidence for students in early years and enjoyment of maths – this has been lacking lately,” she said.
Flinders University professor Maria Parappilly has boosted STEM participation rates through an enrichment project for Year 9 girls.
It saw 91 per cent of participants choose STEM subjects in senior years following the hands on intervention.
Prof Parappilly had a “mixed response” to the announcement, noting while high-potential students need challenges, simplifying content could help struggling students and prevent them from disengaging.
Share your feedback and story ideas with us at education@news.com.au
More Coverage
Originally published as Early years maths review announced as senior years participation continues to drop
Shock figures: The wild number of Aussie kids diagnosed with autism
