Post-16 Maths (3) - Core Maths at Level 2?
A space for curriculum innovation....
In previous posts I’ve referred to the idea that we should have a range of different pathways in mathematics for post-16 students that better meet their needs and aspirations. There a number of different ways forward that might pick this up: one of these is to have a “Core Maths” at Level 2.
I was part of the expert panel that in 2013 was convened by the Royal Society that worked on the high level principles of the design of Core Maths qualifications and the first thing I should point to is that the brand “Core Maths” allows a number of different qualifications to be developed (at present only at Level 3). To some extent I have been a little disappointed at the level of innovation and consequently range of qualifications that eventually emerged, but that’s a different story. Here, I want to suggest that we could develop a number of different level 2 qualifications within the Core Maths family. Perhaps as an alternative to GCSE qualifications - with greater usefulness and consequently appeal to students.
Fundamental to the expert panel’s recommendations were that Core Maths Qualifications:
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At level 3, Core Maths qualifications, as they stand, have addressed these design principles to a lesser or greater extent. The latter two being those that have proven most difficult and which I would hope might be revisited in the future.
Another important aspect of the design was that they should not require too much additional content so that Core Maths courses have space so that students can learn how to apply, comprehend and communicate mathematically.
It seems that Core Mathematics is already an established brand with desirable design principles / features that could, going forward, form a sound template for a suite of innovative Level 2 qualifications. Importantly, if such a proposal were to be adopted, the resulting qualifications could be used as replacing GCSE resit requirements.