Recent developments in mathematics curricular reform in Ireland Maurice OReilly Head of Mathematics St Patrick’s College Drumcondra Dublin

Plan 1.Introduction 2.Overview of the Irish system 3.Project Maths 4.How PM is being received 5.Questions

1. Me SPD: St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra DCU: Dublin City University CASTeL: Centre for the Advancement of Science & Mathematics Teaching and Learning

ICMI in Ireland Small, yet maturing math ed community No ICMI sub-commission, yet! RIA: Royal Irish Academy

Population & PISA populationPISA Maths 1000s Sweden Denmark Norway Ireland Singapore Iceland

2. Irish system Aistear (early childhood, 0-6) Primary 4/5-12/13 (8 years) Post-Primary 12/13-17/18 (5 or 6 years) Third Level 17/18- Languages of instruction – English – Irish/Gaeilge

Post-Primary Junior Cycle (3 years) Junior Certificate Examination Possible Transition Year Senior Cycle (2 years) Leaving Certificate Examination

Formal Context for Project Maths DES: Department of Education and Skills (Government Ministry) NCCA: National Council for Curriculum and Assessment SEC: State Examinations Commission Project Maths: curriculum for Post-Primary mathematics – PM Development Team Teaching Council CAO: Central Admissions Office – Administers admission to third level

Differentiation & Examinations Junior Cert as a formal examination to be restricted to English, Irish & Mathematics Leaving Cert offered at three levels: Higher, Ordinary & Foundation Applied Mathematics – Statics, mechanics, differential equations

Informal Context Maths enrichment IMO/IrMOIrMO Team Math Maths Circles PRISM MathsFest Maths Week

3. Project Maths New syllabus Student confidence Innovative pedagogy Interactive discussion New type of examinations Critical thinking Less teacher talk More autonomous learning Constructivism/inquiry based learning

Syllabus structure Project Maths Statistics and Probability Geometry and Trigonometry Number Algebra Functions Primary (1999) Data Shape and Space Number Algebra Measures

Features of Project Maths Research on international trends, Conway & Sloane (2006) Public consultation PM started in September 2008 Piloting in 24 schools Phased introduction (by strand) Teacher workshops

4. Related issues/initiatives Out-of-field mathematics teachers Bonus CAO points for higher level maths Considerable media interest Teacher organizations: – Irish Mathematics Teachers’ Association (IMTA) – Irish Applied Mathematics Teachers’ Association (IAMTA) Research

Sarah Lubienski (2011) Fulbright visitor to CASTeL Phased, collaborative approach! Irish teacher engagement! Impact in some pilot schools! Irish exam system? Mathematics textbooks? Clarity of vision of PM? Challenge of teacher change?

UCC: University College Cork (2011) Influence of PISA – balance needed Math Ed needs to engage with Math Sc More robust in-service training NCCA/third level/IMTA collaboration University examiners to approve state exams Improved textbooks & teaching materials Unambiguous & rigorous exam questions Strands should be interconnected

Anticipated publications Reports due November 2012? – ERC: Education Research Centre (PISA) – NCCA/NFER: National Foundation for Educational Research (Slough, England) – NCE-MSTL: National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics & Science Teaching & Learning Also MEI: Mathematics Education Ireland conferences (MEI 5 in Aug/Sept 2013)

Web links PM NCCA SEC Teaching Council CAO IMTA IAMTA Lubienski UCC ERC NCE-MSTL CASTeL MEI OReilly