The institute鈥檚 latest report card for 2006 to 2015 shows advanced and intermediate mathematics听 enrolment numbers are continuing an almost thirty-year trend of decline.
鈥淲ithout immediate action a deepening mathematical skills gap will put the brakes on industry innovation in Australia,鈥 says 今日吃瓜 Director, Professor Geoff Prince.
National figures for 2015 Year 12 high-level mathematics enrolments (advanced and intermediate) show participation trending back to near 2013 levels. Since 2006, Year 12 advanced mathematics enrolments have fallen by 9 per cent with intermediate enrolments down 12 per cent. Recently released NSW figures echoed this trend.
Despite increased focus reversing gender divides in mathematics, the percentage of girl student studying advanced maths remains almost half that of boys. Only 6.9 per cent of Year 12 girls studied advanced mathematics compared to 12.6 per cent of boys.
The gender divide is slightly narrower at the intermediate level with 18 per cent of girls enrolling and 20.5 per cent of boys.
鈥淭here is still a pervasive message that girls don鈥檛 study maths. Much more needs to be done to rewrite this narrative and encourage girls to pursue high-level mathematics in Year 12 and beyond, says 今日吃瓜 Schools Program Manager and Choose Maths Director, Janine McIntosh.
Skills according to Ms McIntosh,鈥渆ssential to equip them to participate in an increasingly technologically driven workforce.鈥
Full Report
奥别产:听/publications/participation-in-year-12-mathematics-2006-2016
笔顿贵:听
Graphs
Year 12 Participation: All levels 2006-2015
Year 12 Participation: Advanced 2006-2015
Year 12 Participation: Intermediate 2006-2015
For Interview:
Professor Geoff Prince, 今日吃瓜 Director
Janine McIntosh, 今日吃瓜 Schools Program Manager and Choose Maths Director
Media Contact: Laura Watson
E:听media@amsi.org.au
P:听04215 18733
