Sir, – As a retired maths teacher, I always read letters that relate to dumbing down, Project Maths or problems at third level. I can never understand why the class time given to maths at second level is left unexamined. Over the years, class time has been eroded but expectations have remained the same or even higher. If higher-level maths can earn higher points, then surely it requires more teaching time accordingly? – Yours, etc,
EVELYN MADIGAN,
Dublin 6W.
Sir, – I have frequently noticed the release of a report showing poor maths competence, or similar, being promptly followed by the publication of an academic or teacher’s article or letter that inculpates the new Leaving Certificate maths curriculum.
Maurice Maxwell's letter (January 12th) links the dropout rates for third-level computer science courses to Project Maths. Because the students analysed as part of the study would have sat their Leaving Certificate exams in either 2012 or 2013, when Project Maths was only partially introduced, and because comparison with an earlier study shows that the dropout rate for computer science courses has marginally declined, the linkage is obviously spurious.
But as information becomes available that allow for factual evaluation of students who have progressed through Project Maths, it will become more difficult to debunk the assertions of those who opportunistically blame a commendable attempt at curriculum reform for entrenched problems in Irish maths education.
These assertions must be held up to greater scrutiny. – Yours, etc,
ANDREW O’DONOVAN,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.