MATHEMATICS
STEM-Education-in-the-Irish-School-System
STEM-Education-in-the-Irish-School-System
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CHAPTER1<br />
Although Mathematics is not compulsory, virtually all Leaving Certificate students take<br />
Mathematics at some level e.g. 97% of LC students in 2014 took the subject. Only a small (albeit<br />
increasing) proportion of these students takes Higher Level Mathematics. This set of conditions<br />
and other factors contribute to the small number of students who qualify to pursue STEM degree<br />
programmes in Higher Education (HE). The impact is particularly felt in Physics, Mathematics<br />
and Engineering disciplines with low numbers entering HE and subsequently qualifying in those<br />
STEM disciplines.<br />
The proportion of the students taking the LC (H) Mathematics examination has increased<br />
markedly in recent years:<br />
Year<br />
2011 16%<br />
2012 22%<br />
2013 26%<br />
2014 27%<br />
Percentage of students taking HL mathematics<br />
Table 4 Percentage of students taking LC (HL) mathematics: 2011-2014.<br />
Two factors (Bonus CAO Points and the Project Maths initiative) are likely to have played a<br />
significant role in this increase, although their relative impact is difficult to estimate. The award<br />
of 25 CAO points for achieving a minimum of grade D in the Higher-Level Mathematics<br />
examination in the Leaving Certificate has certainly enticed students wishing to maximise their<br />
overall CAO score. In a report to the Department of Education and Skills in 2013, the Irish Maths<br />
Teachers Association (IMTA) emphasised the popularity of the new ‘Project Maths’ approach<br />
with students, indicating that students enjoyed the teaching methods and the use of more reallife<br />
application contexts (IMTA, 2013).<br />
The backwash effect of the bonus points incentive together with the introduction of the new<br />
Project Maths curriculum at Junior Cycle also appears to be having a positive impact on the<br />
numbers taking the higher-level option in the Junior Certificate examination. The proportion<br />
now stands at 54% (2014) compared to 43% in 2008. Given the underpinning role that<br />
Mathematics plays across STEM disciplines, these are positive developments. Nevertheless,<br />
comments from the HE sector regularly raise concerns about ‘mathematical underpreparedness’<br />
for third level education. Such concerns have led to the development of<br />
Mathematics Learner Support (MLS) provisions and the establishment of Maths Learning Centres<br />
that help students to make the transition from second to third level successfully and to improve<br />
mathematics and STEM outcomes for students throughout their undergraduate career<br />
(O’Sullivan, Mac an Bháird, Fitzmaurice & Ní Fhloinn, 2014).<br />
STEM EDUCATION IN THE IRISH SCHOOL SYSTEM<br />
19
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