The way forward for mathematics 16–19? A response to articles by Pampaka et al. and Hutcheson et al.

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Notes

1. The Educational and Social Economic Research Council (ESRC) is the UK's social research council that funds academic research in the social sciences, including Education. The ESRC, using university sponsorship, funded the Teaching and Learning Research Programme (TLRP) to conduct educational research in teaching and learning for over ten years in multiple phases, including one on Widening Participation in 2005–2008. See www.tlrp.org

2. The AS (Advanced Subsidiary) level qualification is taken after the first year of advanced post-compulsory study. Typically students study towards four AS levels, and in a second year of study take three of these forward to full A (Advanced) Level.

3. Awarding Bodies are responsible for the award of nationally-available qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Three major awarding bodies, Edexcel, AQA and OCR, are responsible for the main academic qualifications available at the end of compulsory school. These are GCSEs (General Certificates of Secondary Education). One more year post-compulsory schooling leads to AS levels and a further year of study to A levels.

4. MEI: Mathematics in Education and Industry is a curriculum development body in England that has done much work in supporting teaching in upper secondary mathematics and in providing an alternative suite of qualifications.

5. Edexcel: is one of three major awarding bodies offering AS and A level qualifications in mathematics in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

6. The Pathways Project (2007–2010) explored the potential of developing a number of different pathways for students in England aged 14–19 in mathematics, in an attempt to cater for their diverging needs and aspirations.

7. TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) and the OECD's PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) are international comparative studies that, in addition to measuring student performance, give insights into other outcomes of mathematics teaching and learning, such as self-efficacy.

8. QCDA: The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency, is the government body responsible for the development of qualifications and curriculum in England. It is due to close in early 2012.