Over 40% of higher level maths students need grinds to cope with the demands of the subject, according to a survey by Engineers Ireland. The findings were revealed ahead of the official Leaving Certificate results today.
Accirding to the study of higher level maths students who sat the Leaving Certificate this year, 86% believe higher level maths will enhance their college choices but almost half (45%) did not consider themselves naturally strong at the subject.
Just under 71% of higher level maths students rated their maths teacher as excellent or good. Additionally, the survey indicates growing optimism amongst students about the future, with 83% believing they’ll get a job in Ireland after graduating.
Fionnuala Kilbane, Engineers Ireland communications director, said the findings indicate that it was evident further resources in the classroom are required to help more students engage with higher level maths. “The findings suggest that a significant number of students, even the ones with a natural talent for maths, are still struggling to manage the demands associated with higher level,” she said. “The overall pressure on students is also very evident in the ESRI research published today. With over 40% of higher level maths students requiring grinds, more needs to be done at class level to support students and we believe the roll-out of Project Maths will help in this respect.”
Kilbane continued: “The fact that 86% of the higher level students’ surveyed felt higher level maths would enhance their career choices demonstrates that the Government’s message that the Smart Economy needs graduates with strong numerical skills is registering. However, we need to help these students to fully engage with the characteristics and everyday applicability of higher level maths.”
This survey follows Engineers Ireland findings last week that showed nearly two thirds of ordinary level maths students would not study higher level maths even if it offered bonus points.
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