1. Report on Research Findings Institute for Future Studies
AUSTRIA
PREMA International Workshop
El Parc Científic de Barcelona, 25-26/1/2007
Institute for Future Studies

2. Austrian Educational System
School
Maths is compulsory during whole school time
Choose focus of education after 8 years of schooling
Technically or natural science oriented schools have a higher amount of maths lessons
University
Diploma vs. teacher training (Lehramt)
Number of women enroled in teacher training for mathematics exceeds number of men

3. Methodology Qualitative interviews
Guidelines adapted to Austrian context
5 girls from different schools
(secondary and grammar school, technical college, college for home economics)
5 female students
(teacher trainees for Mathematics, Biology, Physics; Technical Mathematics)
1 female/ 4 male school teachers
(secondary school, grammar school for natural sciences)
1 male university professor
(department of Mathematics)
2 female policy makers
(project coordinator and team member FIT-Tirol)
Analysis with Analytical Framework
Extraction of general themes according to theory

4. Results I
no major differences in Mathematics achievement of boys and girls at school or university (some girls might be better achievers because they are more diligent and work more accurately)
pupils attribute high achievement in Mathematics to diligent behaviour and paying attention during lessons
marks are the main motivation for pupils to work hard in Maths (would be helpful in the application process for apprenticeships and schools)
General interest in science and future plans are main reason for choice of school (natrural sciences or humanities)
Parents influence pupils‘ choices of schools; they support their children to take a decision on their own

5. Results II professional image of mathematicians is often unclear
larger number of women decide to enrol in teacher training for natural sciences at university rather than in diploma studies (easier to combine family plans with beeing a teacher)
women might need network structures to support their self-conciousness with regards to Maths
Example: FIT – Frauen in die Technik (
funded by: Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Culture (BMBWK) European Social Funds
Information days about natural science studies for girls
FIT-Launch – network for women who study natrural sciences; supports exchange between students

6. Suggestions for School, Curriculum, Policy
Set up networks to support womens‘ self-conciousness with regard to Maths
Support initiatives for the promotion of careers in technology for women
Support all pupils/ students individually
Support pupils to find out about their interests
Support teachers to apply ICT during lessons > varied teaching methods
Provide pupils/students with information about
contents of Mathematics studies at university
job descriptions of Mathematicians
student councelling > reduce drop-out
Provide parents with information about possible careers in natural sciences
Improve possibility to combine career and family (e.g. all day-schools)

7. Gender Issues in the Austrian Curricula
Educational principle „Education to equality between women and men“
Motivate consideration/discussion of gender equality matters in the contents of curricula, class, educational materials
Enable pupils to reflect on gender-specific discrimination
INTENTIONS CONNECTED WITH THE PRINCIPLE
Raising awareness of gender-specific socialisation
Perception of causes/forms of gender-specific work division
Reduction of role stereotypes through teaching contents,
education materials, behaviour of school partners
Reflection on own gender-role concepts
Raising awareness of violence and sexism; Pointing out possibilities for prevention/intervention
Promotion of readiness to eliminate gender-specific prejudices/ discrimination; encouragement of self-confidence and socio-cooperative attitudes; priciple of partnership between pupils

8. THANK YOU!