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

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

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

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

5. Population & PISA populationPISA Maths 1000s200920062003 Sweden9416494502509 Denmark5561503513514 Norway4920498490495 Ireland4481487501503 Singapore3818562 Iceland318507506515

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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?

16. 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

17. 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)

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