Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the success of the project maths programme post primary schools to date; the likelihood of a performance review on this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12743/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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A major programme of reform in Mathematics is under way in all second level schools since September last, building on the experience of 24 schools which began the programme in 2008. Project Maths is being implemented on a phased basis over a three period across 5 strands of mathematics as follows:- Phase 1: Strand 1 - Statistics and Probability + Strand 2 - Geometry and Trigonometry Phase 2: Strand 1+2+ Strand 3 - Number + Strand 4 - Algebra Phase 3: Strand 1+2+3+4+ Strand 5 - Functions

Strands 1 and 2 began in all schools in September 2010 for first examination in 2012 at Leaving Certificate and 2013 at Junior Certificate. Strands 3 and 4 will begin in 2011, and strand 5 will start in 2012.

Project Maths has been widely welcomed by the partners in education and the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. Implementation of the programme is monitored by a steering committee representing my Department, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the State Examinations Commission. An external research and evaluation programme is also planned.

The initial results for Project Maths in the 24 schools where students sat the Leaving Certificate examination in Strands 1 and 2 in 2010 were published by the State Examinations Commission. These showed that results were broadly in line with the national trends in maths, but there was a lower A rate (11.2% Project Maths v 14.3% mainstream) but slightly higher ABC rate in the Project Maths schools at all levels, 18.7% took higher level in the Project Maths schools, compared with 16.0% in mainstream schools. there were significantly improved EFNG rates at Ordinary level in Project Maths schools (5.4% v 9.8% in mainstream schools.)