Developing numeracy strategies to improve interest and achievement in mathematics amongst post-primary students.

Interest and achievement in mathematics is currently both a national and international concern. Interest in mathematics is low in comparison to other curricula subjects and achievement in mathematics is also poor when compared with other subjects. In Ireland’s post-primary education system many reasons have been criticised in the past for low interest and achievement in mathematics, such as a dated curriculum which emphasised rote learning and procedural tasks and unqualified teachers of mathematics. In the present decade however, mathematics education in Ireland’s post-primary schools has been overhauled. The new mathematics syllabus entitled ‘Project Maths’ encourages students to greater engage with mathematics and encourages more of a collaborative approach to learning. Also a National Strategy has been implemented which hopes to improve numeric abilities of students by setting out goals that need to be achieved by 2020. Although steps in the right direction have been made in Ireland to improve interest and achievement in mathematics the author found that many students still do not grasp the basic numeracy skills that are incorporated in the Project Maths syllabus. Also, the author found that many students have a poor attitude towards mathematics. As a result the author developed an intervention to improve interest and achievement in mathematics of students in her school. The mathematical abilities which were promoted in this intervention are those mainly at stake in the National Strategy for Literacy and Numeracy. The process began with a review of literature. The author then developed a student handbook and accompanying resources and piloted the intervention materials through peer tutoring. Any necessary changes were made. The intervention took place a second time and from this intervention the author collected both qualitative and quantitative data. The author then analysed the results and discussed the research findings. The data gathered produced evidence to suggest that the intervention was a success and will be discussed in detail in chapter 6.