Addressing Maths Disengagement in Australian Schools
By referencing Brett Henebery’s insights
Australian Year 4 students may excel above the global average in mathematics, but Brett Henebery’s recent article highlights a concerning decline in secondary students’ performance. Notably, the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) reveals that one-third of Australian students fail to meet basic numeracy proficiency, with a significant gender gap in maths achievement. Such trends pose a risk to Australia’s future STEM capabilities and economic competitiveness.
Challenges in Maths Education
Several factors contribute to these challenges, including evolving teacher-student dynamics and increasing teacher workloads. A survey by Education Perfect (EP) found that over 50% of teachers find formative assessments too time-consuming to implement effectively, despite their importance in tailoring instruction to individual student needs.
Technology as a Solution
To combat these issues, EP has introduced a curriculum-aligned maths platform to help teachers personalise instruction and track student progress in real time. James Santure, Head of Product Impact at EP, emphasised the platform’s role in equipping teachers with actionable insights into each student’s mastery of specific curriculum outcomes.
The platform integrates gamified and interactive elements to engage students, ensuring that tasks remain appropriately challenging. This approach counters the “one-size-fits-all” model, which often leaves students feeling disengaged and disconnected from the subject.
The Role of School Leaders
Santure also advocates for school leaders to invest in technologies that facilitate evidence-based learning strategies. The survey revealed that 30% of teachers strongly believe technology can enhance formative assessment, while 34% view it as essential for delivering personalised learning. Leaders must prioritise training and foster an environment that embraces innovation to realise the full potential of these tools.
Building Long-Term Growth
By using real-time tracking and continuous assessment, EP’s platform supports not only individual student growth but also enables school-wide evaluation of teaching strategies. Santure underscores the importance of measuring progress consistently across student, cohort, and system levels to optimise resource allocation and teaching methods.
A Shift in Perspective
Santure’s vision, as discussed in Henebery’s article, is to redefine how students perceive and engage with mathematics. By providing tailored support and celebrating incremental achievements, students build confidence and fluency, transforming their outlook on maths from intimidating to empowering.
Reference
This blog post is inspired by Brett Henebery’s article, Turning the tables on maths disengagement.