Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 250: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the decline in the number of students taking higher level maths for the leaving certificate and the measures that will be taken to increase those numbers. [15658/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The rate of entry for Higher Level Maths in the Leaving Certificate 2011 is 0.05% lower than that pertaining in 2010. While the overall trend is downwards, too much significance cannot be read into a change of this order. Normally, around 20% of students who apply to sit Mathematics at Higher Level in the Leaving Certificate actually sit the examination at a lower level.

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 designed to encourage better understanding of mathematics, to reinforce its practical relevance to everyday life, and to ensure better curriculum continuity across the system. A key objective is to improve attainment levels in Maths and to encourage more students to take the subject at higher level. The programme is supported by a comprehensive investment in professional development for teachers which will run to at least 2013. Only students in the 24 schools will sit a Leaving Certificate examination in 2011 in the Project Maths programme. However, experience of these schools in the Leaving Certificate in 2010 showed a modest increase in the proportion who sat the subject at Higher Level, 18.7% compared with 16.0% nationally.

Higher education institutions have collectively agreed to operate a bonus points scheme for Higher Level Mathematics for a four year trial period from 2012 to 2015 inclusive, with a review in 2014. A bonus of 25 points will be allocated to students who achieve a grade D3 or above in LC Higher Level mathematics. This pilot scheme has been specifically designed with the objective of maximizing the numbers of Leaving Cert students who study for and sit the Higher Level maths examinations, and in particular of reducing the numbers of students who might drop down from Higher to Ordinary Level during the senior cycle.

I also intend to publish a National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy shortly which will provide a continuum of measures designed to improve performance in these critical areas. The NCCA will shortly advise me on reforms in junior cycle which are designed to address curriculum overload and rote learning, and promote creativity and innovation. In addition, I have also asked higher education institutions to examine the scope for reform of the CAO points system to overcome some of its negative backwash effects on senior cycle students' learning.

Taken together, these initiatives are intended to improve attainment in Mathematics and increase the numbers of students taking Higher Level.