While preliminary NAPLAN results released by the Minister for Education and Training show improvement in numeracy, the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) believes there is still work to be done to secure Australia’s mathematical future.
AMSI Director, Professor Geoff Prince says while the preliminary results indicate a 1.6 per cent improvement on the previous NAPLAN round, a number of key factors continue to compound Australia’s poor mathematical performance in the classroom. He believes the results, which widely varied between states and territories, should be seen as a call to action by state and federal governments as we seek to lay the foundations for an innovation economy.
“The overall results indicate some improvement in numeracy performance across the Australia. This does not however, give us the full picture of state of play when it comes to the key challenges facing mathematical learning including out-of-field teaching, student engagement, gender and socio economic inequity,” he says.
Professor Prince welcomed Minister’s Birmingham’s commitment to key numeracy and literacy challenges, including ensuring young Australians are mathematically prepared to engage in an innovation economy to support a post-resources Australia into the future.
“AMSI welcomes the Federal government’s attention to mathematics and science. We still have much work to do, including through programs such as our partnership project with BHP Billiton Foundation, CHOOSEMATHS, if we are to equip students for what is likely to be a STEM driven future with an economic reliance on innovation,” he says.
Resources for Media
AMSI Vision for a Maths Nation
NAPLAN Summary Results
Available for Media:
Janine McIntosh, Program Manager, AMSI Schools
Professor Geoff Prince, AMSI Director
Media Contact:
Laura Watson
E. media@amsi.org.au
P: 04215 18733
