The Australian government is taking steps to address a worrying trend: the declining participation in mathematics among high school students. That explosive new study, fueled with public research dollars, details how this startling trend has continued for more than 30 years. This should send shocking alarm bells for the future of Australia’s workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This article digs deeper into the issues at play, examining the educators’ part and what it could mean for Australia’s future.
The Challenge of Low Participation
Containing echoes of the American experience, Australia has seen the dramatic decline in post-compulsory enrolment in higher-level maths courses. Specifically, just over 8.4 percent of high school students are now taking the highest levels of math. Evidence indicates that about one-third of students opt out of taking any math classes their senior year. The slow decline dates back to the 1990s. Now it imperils the nation’s competitiveness in an increasingly technology-based global economy.
Research shows that low self-confidence and math anxiety are the two major players driving this phenomenon. For one, most students have an underlying idea that they just aren’t good at math. A whopping 4 out of 10 15-year-old boys don’t believe that math will help them in their future jobs. At the same time, 33% of girls, ages 15, express similar worries. This perception isn’t just pushing them away from math, it’s closing off their paths to careers in STEM industries.
The Role of Educators
Whatever the reasons, teachers have an outsized impact on low participation in advanced mathematics. When math is cool, fun and inspired—and teachers are keeping it relevant—educators open up a world of possibility to give students their best shot at success. Innovative teaching methods and real-world applications can help demystify math, transforming it from a subject of dread into an area of interest.
Imagine, for example, a field trip in the form of an interactive lesson filled with technology and hands-on activities to keep students engaged. We want educators to address the relevance of math in our daily lives and all potential career pathways that require math—that starts in elementary school. Hands-on, minds-on This approach helps create a deeper love and appreciation of math. It prepares students to appreciate the process of exploring and understanding mathematical ideas.
High-quality professional development opportunities for teachers should be a priority as well. Professionally-focused and ongoing training can help census educators discover, develop and apply the tools they’ll need to ignite their students’ imaginations. Educators and lawmakers need to come together to ensure math education remains a primary focus. Their combined efforts are the key to the curriculum’s successful implementation.
Implications for the Future
The consequences of low math participation go further too. They affect our nation as a whole. A workforce unprepared for the demands of mathematical understanding threatens to stagnate Australia’s progress into critical fields. The Australian curriculum underscores the importance of STEM education, which is utterly dependent on a solid grounding in mathematics.
In addition, given that the participation rates for female students have been on the decline, this is of great concern. As a result, girls are opting out of math classes. In the process, they’re letting millions of our best and brightest slip through the cracks instead of pursuing successful careers in STEM fields. Eliminating gender inequities in the way math is taught is an important step in promoting diversity and inclusivity within these industries.
In addition to addressing participation rates, it is essential to tackle the root causes of math anxiety and low self-esteem among students. Implementing programs that encourage a growth mindset while offering mental health resources can reduce the fear factor around math. By encouraging creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, students will feel empowered to take on difficult topics and will be more likely to pursue them.