Mathematics for Life and
Work says that the share of young people studying
mathematics in England post-16 is among the lowest in the OECD,
in part due to a limited range of options for continuing
mathematics education when compared with other education systems.
Among the key findings are:
- Most other OECD systems offer multiple tailored pathways for
math learning to 18 years. England is nearly alone in terms of
offering few study options post-16, limiting provision for
different student interests and future ambitions.
- Typically, at least around half of students study maths to 18
across many OECD countries and all students in some countries,
compared with just 16.5% of 16-18-year-olds in England who take
maths qualifications at this level.
- In England, students who do continue with maths after 16 are
very high performers suggesting that maths options post-16 cater
to a small elite group. In contrast, many students who are
proficient in the subject and enjoy it, stop studying it at 16,
constraining the development of their maths skills much earlier
than their counterparts in other OECD countries.
- Contrary to popular belief that England has an “anti-maths”
mindset, UK students at 15 show positive attitudes and
proficiency in maths (above the OECD average). This contrasts
with one of the lowest rates of participation in maths
qualifications 18.
- The economic costs of low numeracy are significant and having
a low share of young people studying maths up to 18 has potential
consequences for workforce skills. England had lower than the
OECD average numeracy skills among young people (16-24 and 25-24
years) in PIAAC 2012.
