Students not ready for maths at third level

A review of the controversial Project Maths curriculum is to examine how it affects student performance on third-level courses with a high maths content.

There is already some evidence to suggest the revised curriculum has seen students less prepared than previously for the maths elements of college studies in science and technology.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) says it is still early to fully evaluate the reform’s impact on students’ experiences at third level. However, it wants to begin analysing a number of outcomes, as this year’s Leaving Certificate students will be the first group of school leavers to have experienced the full Project Maths curriculum through their entire second-level education.