in the classroom
The NSW Mathematics Curriculum overhaul comes as enrolments in senior school maths have dropped below 10 per cent for the first time ever
“ This will not only provide solid foundations for all levels of mathematics in years 11 and 12 , it will give students the opportunity to pursue the highest levels of learning .”
‘ Tailor learning ’
What ’ s happening with the NSW maths curriculum overhaul
By Erin Nixon
A major redesign of the NSW curriculum intends to channel more students into advanced and extension HSC mathematics courses .
A single ‘ core ’ unit will replace the decade-old three-tiered course structure in years nine and 10 .
The new structure aims to preemptively expose students to the foundational skills needed to attempt advanced maths concepts ahead of the High School Certificate ( HSC ).
Rochelle Borton , managing director and founder at Eduinfluencers , spoke to Campus Review about the upcoming curriculum changes .
“ From time to time we do need to change parts of the curriculum to better meet the needs of students so that the concepts they learn can be applied to ‘ real world ’ settings ,” Ms Borton said .
It remains unclear how the new syllabus will be implemented , with several schools still planning to run streamed classes – separating students into classes based on ability – in 2024 .
“ The changes proposed in secondary Mathematics Curriculum in NSW do mean that leaders and teachers in maths are having to prepare for changes in some of the content and ways in which they teach ,” Ms Borton said .
“ The time required to do this increases to an already burdened workforce , with the additional workload being a cause for concern .
" There are however some guiding documents for these changes and I know many schools who are utilising this and then differentiating based on needs of students from there .”
The NSW Mathematics Curriculum overhaul comes as enrolments in senior school maths have dropped below 10 per cent for the first time ever .
The number of students meeting university maths prerequisites is concerningly low , particularly as Australia looks to strengthen its pipeline of STEM graduates .
“ The flexible new Core-Paths structure means students will no longer be locked into rigid pathways from stage four to six , and teachers can tailor learning to students ’ needs , passions and aspirations ,” a NSW Education Standards Authority ( NESA ) spokesperson said .
THE REALITY OF IMPLEMENTING A NEW SYLLABUS Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership ( AITSL ) reported that 33 per cent of school maths teachers have not received specific training in the subject .
Time-poor or inexperienced teachers may struggle to deliver the one unit to a cohort of students at varying ends of the spectrum , some who are ahead and some who are behind .
According to Ms Borton , “ some teachers are concerned they cannot provide the support to students who require it if there is not some streaming of maths classes .”
“ We have seen change in the K-2 Maths curriculum throughout this year , with changes coming for 3-6 next year , and these changes will support the strengthening of connections across concepts and content .”
Ms Borton said we are yet to see the full impact of the new changes in the primary setting .
“ We may also see students coming into the secondary setting without all of what they need to connect and relate differing concepts .”
Changes to curriculum can be disruptive for students and teachers and according to Ms Borton , there are links between class disruptions , behaviour and disengagement when students aren ’ t able to access the content being taught .
“ That being said , I don ’ t know a teacher who is not there for students , and so the overwhelming response has always been , if a change is better for a student ’ s learning then effort will be put in to ensure every student regardless of ability has access to learning .” ■
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