A level Mathematics
What is the issue?
Mathematics A level entries in England have risen since
2002 from 44,000 to over 80,000 in 2013. Further Maths has almost
doubled in the last few years to nearly 13,000 in 2013.
However, participation rates in A level Maths in England remain
low relative to other developed countries, with only circa 20% of
students taking maths post-16.
A level reform
A
decision was made by Professor Mark Smith that the reform
of A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics should be
delayed to 2016.
The A level Content Advisory Board (ALCAB) was
asked by the Department for Education to develop content for the
new A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics
qualifications. See here for the ALCAB report from the mathematics
and further mathematics panel.
On 1 December 2014 Nick Gibb, Minister of State for School
Reform,
wrote to Ofqual to accept the recommendation to defer first
teaching of the new mathematics and further mathematics A/AS levels
until September 2017.
Professor Stephen Sparks, Chair of ACME said:
'I welcome that the new mathematics
A levels will now be introduced in autumn 2017. This decision
follows the advice given by ACME and the mathematics community that
a delay was needed to help safeguard the increasing numbers of
students taking mathematics at A level. The delay allows more time
for considered preparation for teaching, learning and assessment.
The extra year also means that those taking the new A levels will
now have taken the reformed GCSE Mathematics, helping to ensure a
coherent learning pathway for students.'
The A Level Content Advisory
Board (ALCAB) issued a
press notice welcoming the delay in introduction of the new
mathematics and further mathematics A levels.
A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics will now be
introduced for first teaching in September 2017. Ofqual
announced that it will convene an A level Mathematics Working
Group.
ACME and A level reform
ACME has engaged deeply with the A level reform process. As well
as publishing a range of publications and correspondence, see here if you
are interested in more detail, ACME has also been involved in
information sharing activities with a range of organisations and
individuals from the mathematics education community.