Welsh Mathematical Knowledge Wide Ranging

[cronus]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-25139847

Pupils have 'no idea' how to take maths tests, report warns

Many pupils in Wales have no idea how to take a maths test, a highly critical report has found.

From May next year, children will sit numerical reasoning tests in an effort to improve numeracy skills.

But the results of pre-testing revealed learners did not understand basic concepts or check their work, copied from each other, gave ridiculous answers or left most questions blank.

Education Minister Huw Lewis said he would boost funding for the tests.

The report was drawn up for the Welsh government by Acumina, the company which will be running the tests.

One teacher cited in the report said: "The numeracy was not the problem - children don't have knowledge of how to sit a test."

The report, which examined the results from sample tests taken in May 2013 by more than 200 children in each school year between 2 and 9, says:

The pre-test provided clear evidence of a lack of understanding of how to work in a test situation. Some learners had clearly copied from each other. Others had little or no knowledge of how to use their time effectively, including checking their answers.

Many learners left some or most of the questions blank. There appeared to be a reluctance to 'try and see'. Rather, if the route through a problem was not immediately apparent, pupils of all ages appeared reluctant to engage.
Some learners clearly did not know the meaning of words such as 'total', 'fewer than', 'height', 'perimeter', 'area' and 'profit'. This was worse for the younger children but was still evident for older year groups.
Some children displayed a worrying lack of number sense giving answers that made no sense within the given context. Many learners adopted an 'if in doubt, add' strategy to a wide range of problems. There was almost no evidence of checking strategies.

Many learners appeared not to know how to use a calculator effectively. In all year groups, some learners used their calculator inappropriately, for example adding £5.99 and 85p to give the answer £90.99 and many struggled to interpret, for example, 1.5 in the context of money, giving the answer £1 and 5 pence.

Average scores were low for all age groups, according to the report, ranging from 19% to 29%.

(continued)

[Jason]

Autism is a huge problem.

[cronus]

Autism is a huge problem.

The lack of it too.

[JimC]

Perhaps exercises in counting sheep?

[cronus]

Perhaps exercises in counting sheep?

Bitcoin mining the local rubbish tip is the future for Wales....

[Jason]

Autism is a huge problem.

The lack of it too.

Huh?