Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 482: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of students who failed ordinary level maths in the leaving certificate in each year over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33595/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations, including organising the holding of examinations and issuing the results of examinations.

In the State examinations all candidates who attempt an examination in a particular subject are awarded a grade ranging from an A (85% and above) to an NG (less than 10%). In the Leaving Certificate, the A grade is sub-divided into an A1 and A2. Irrespective of the grade obtained, all candidates receive a certificate that records all their grades and no candidate is deemed to have failed any examination.

Statistics in relation to percentage breakdown of candidates by grade awarded in each subject from 2006 to 2008 are available on the State Examinations website — www.examinations.ie

A major programme of reform in Mathematics is now under way at Junior and Leaving Certificate Level, which is designed to improve understanding in Mathematics.

The main features of Project Maths reforms are designed to

Provide a bridging framework from the revised primary curriculum into second level

Promote greater maths literacy across the school population

Bring changed emphasis in the mathematics learnt and, in particular, a strong focus on context and applications and problem solving in a general move towards a strengthened emphasis on "real mathematics education" and a greater ICT dimension

Encourage greater take up at higher level

Provide a solid foundation which prepares students for careers in science, technology, engineering, business or humanities options

Provide for an innovative professional development model under which change would be implemented in various areas of maths on a phased basis in a rolling programme of reform. Lesson plans and exemplars would be developed and piloted in schools, then go on a national website and the examination system in that area would change at that stage

For schools involved in the initial implementation from September 2008, students will experience mathematics in a new way. Teachers will be provided with classroom materials to enable them to adopt the new approaches and will be supported professionally in embracing change. These materials and supports will include lesson plans, with teacher guides and student worksheets, on-line exemplars and a range of assessment materials. Examination questions will also be changed for these students.

The changes will be phased over 3 years, initially in the project schools, beginning in September 2008. In mainstream schools, the changes will begin in September 2010, preceded by professional development for teachers the previous year.