Mapping mathematical competences across subjects for advanced level qualifications in England

Norris, Jennifer; Noyes, Andrew

Abstract

Efforts to increase the number of young people in England studying mathematics post-16 have historically focused on participation in standalone mathematics qualifications. However, following the recent A-level reforms, many advanced level students are engaging with some form of mathematics through the mathematical content now formally embedded within other subjects. In order to offer a more comprehensive view of the mathematics being learned post-16 we present a framework analysis of the subject content documents of the 19 A-level subjects with a required quantitative component, using a recently developed framework of General Mathematical Competences (GMCs). Results are visualised as maps showing the presence of GMC sub-competences for individual A-level subjects and combinations of subjects. The application of the GMC framework in this new context provides a much-needed common language for cross-curricular discussion of the types of mathematics present in different subjects, with implications for interdisciplinary mathematics learning and curriculum alignment between post-16 and higher education across the disciplines. In addition, the framework highlights the non-binary nature of mathematics participation, calling into question what counts as participating in mathematics in the post-16 phase.

Citation

Norris, J., & Noyes, A. (2023). Mapping mathematical competences across subjects for advanced level qualifications in England. Curriculum Journal, https://doi.org/10.1002/curj.204

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 21, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Mar 16, 2023
• Publication Date: Mar 16, 2023
• Deposit Date: Mar 5, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 17, 2024
• Journal: Curriculum Journal
• Print ISSN: 0958-5176
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-3704
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/curj.204
• Keywords: Education
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/18124811
• Publisher URL: https://bera-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/curj.204