Leaving Cert Maths: Academic's review was 'not an endorsement' of draft curriculum
Amid the furore over the draft curriculum, a number of academics have resigned from the subject redevelopment group. Picture: iStock
The independent mathematician who reviewed the proposed Leaving Cert maths curriculum for accuracy before public consultation instructed that her review “should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the draft”.
Rachel Quinlan, of the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at University of Galway, was asked by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) to review the draft Leaving Cert subject specification for mathematical accuracy earlier this year.
The resignations of two experts tasked with helping to redesign the Leaving Cert maths curriculum have shone a spotlight on the document, which is now out for public consultation.
Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, associate professor of mathematics education at Dublin City University (DCU), and Pauline Mellon, emeritus professor of mathematics at the School of Mathematics and Statistics at University College Dublin (UCD), both resigned from the subject redevelopment group, citing concerns about the proposals.
As part of its response this week, the NCCA told RTÉ that the curriculum had been reviewed by an independent mathematician for “any inaccuracies and errors in advance of their publication for consultation".
A copy of this review has now been seen by the , in which Ms Quinlan told the NCCA her comments “only address the important but relatively narrow issue of mathematical meaning, clarity and accuracy".
“My effort to assist in this way should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the draft. I refrain at this stage from comment on both the choice of curriculum content and the extent to which this is specified in the document.
“I remain available for further discussion as the process continues, and would willingly contribute to this curriculum redevelopment, which is crucially important for students and education in Ireland.”
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In her resignation letter to the NCCA earlier this year, Prof Pauline Mellon said the draft curriculum should not be progressed.
“If it, or a variant of it, is adopted, it will significantly harm mathematics education and disadvantage the tens of thousands of students who will take it each year.”
“It will further reduce us in international comparisons and will lead to a reduction of standards for third level courses requiring quantitative skills, with knock-on consequences downstream for many key industries.”
This week, education minister Hildegarde Naughton said the draft subject specification is "not final" and is now out for public consultation.
In a statement, the NCCA said it recognises that Ms Quinlan "expressly stated" her review should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the specification, adding "the NCCA accepts and respects that position".
The reference to the review "was not intended to suggest that Ms Quinlan had endorsed the draft specification or its overall content".
"The review was particularly helpful in highlighting areas where the development group sought to include important mathematical ideas while ensuring that their treatment and level of complexity remained appropriate for second-level students.
The observations arising from the review will be considered alongside the feedback received through the public consultation process and will inform the development group's consideration of the final specification."
It added: "Questions relating to the draft curriculum's rationale, aims, structure, content and assessment are all matters for public scrutiny and consideration during the open and transparent consultation over the next three months."
- Jess Casey, Education Correspondent
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