How ACME works

ACME has built its reputation since 2002 as an authoritative committee that provides credible and coherent advice on mathematics education policy. ACME works closely with various mathematical bodies, including the Joint Mathematical Council of the UK (JMC), learned societies and professional bodies, as well as the subject associations. Many of the projects take the form of 'active dialogues' between ACME and the relevant bodies and experts.

 

EXPERTISE ACME is an expert committee  that identifies and addresses issues in mathematics education policy.

EVIDENCE ACME undertakes evidence-informed analysis, harnessing and reflecting the expertise of the mathematics community.

ADVICE ACME provides authoritative and considered advice on high-level, cross-cutting issues in mathematics education.

INFLUENCING ACME influences policy directly and by enabling constructive partnerships between the Government and the mathematics community.

 

How does ACME provide advice?

ACME's policy work is balanced between four modes:

• Generating new agendas
• Anticipating emerging agendas
• Consolidating work strands, e.g. post-16 mathematics, professional development. The agenda is set by ACME.
• Responding to existing and ongoing political and policy agendas, informed by ACME's priorities.

ACME provides advice in a range of different ways, meeting with stakeholders from the Department for Education and its agencies, the Department for Business and Innovation, parliamentarians and representatives from the mathematics education community and the STEM community.

ACME's outputs include:

• Discussion papers: papers to stimulate debate and discussion about topical or contested areas
• Briefing papers (Maths Snapshots): summaries of key issues and known evidence
• Policy studies: evidenced studies relating to key ACME policy areas
• Position papers: ACME's principles and advice on key issues
• Consultation responses: responses informed by the expertise of the Committee and Outer Circle and research evidence.

ACME also convenes a range of events, including meetings, round tables and conferences for the mathematics education community. These are used as a way of stimulating debate, as well as shaping mathematics education policy advice.

 

 

Where is ACME based?

ACME is a Royal Society committee and the ACME Secretariat is based within the Science Policy team at the Royal Society.