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RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Science
- RTÉ News
How bonus points have changed Leaving Cert Maths
Analysis: There's no doubt that bonus points are driving the uptake of Higher Level maths, but the initiative has had unintended consequences This article is now available above as a Brainstorm podcast. You can subscribe to the Brainstorm podcast through Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. In Ireland, the proportion of students opting to complete their Leaving Certificate mathematics examinations at Higher Level (HL) has increased by 130% in 13 years. Such growth would suggest that significant progress is being made in mathematics education in Ireland, but research into the reasons behind this surge may temper such optimism. Increasing participation in Higher Level mathematics at Senior Cycle has been a key aim for Irish policymakers over the past 15 years. The Bonus Points Initiative (BPI) was introduced in 2012 with the aim of increasing the uptake of Higher mathematics and the long term goal of improving students' mathematical capabilities. Bonus points mean that students who opt to study Higher Level maths and who obtain a score greater than or equal to 40% in their Leaving Certificate examination are awarded an additional 25 'bonus' points. Based on the current CAO system, this means that a student who obtains 40% at Higher Level would receive more points (71) than a student who achieved 90-100% in the Ordinary Level paper (56). From RTÉ Brainstorm, have Leaving Cert maths' questions got harder or easier over 100 years? Maths is the only subject for which bonus points are available, thus giving the subject a special status in our education system. Despite assurances that bonus points would initially be rolled out on a four-year trial basis, it has now been in place for 12 years with no formal evaluation of the initiative conducted. As part of an independent research project, we have carried out several studies investigating the impact of bonus poinys on the profile of students in the Higher Level mathematics classroom; students' motivations to study Higher Level maths; teachers' perspectives on bonus points and the impact on students' performance in the subject. The findings from these studies will highlight some of the unintended consequences of attributing such a special status to mathematics. As mentioned at the outset, between 2011 and 2024 there has been a 130% (from 15.8% to 36.3%) increase in the proportion of students taking Leaving Cert maths at Higher Level. As such, bonus points have been successful in achieving its primary aim of increasing the number of students opting for higher maths. In 2019, we conducted a study with 911 Senior Cycle students who were taking Higher maths and asked them what factors motivated them to study the subject at this level. From a list of 19 factors, the two factors that most students selected were "I wanted to get bonus points" (91.2% in agreement) and "I will get good CAO points from it" (80.3%). These findings leave us in no doubt that the Bonus Point Initiative is driving the uptake of Higher Level matsh and Irish students are now primarily extrinsically motivated to study the subject at this level. However, research has also found that extrinsic motivational factors can lead to diminished intrinsic motivation among students. Therefore, the central role that the BPI is currently playing in motivating students to study higher maths may have longer term negative effects on students' affective reaction to the subject. The surge in the number of students opting for Higher Level maths and the motivation behind this has also led to a change in the profile of students taking the subject. A research study with 266 Senior Cycle HL maths teachers found that bonus points often resulted in students not suited to HL mathematics persevering with it. This large number of less able students has resulted in a much wider range of abilities than would have been the case prior to 2012. Many of these students are also less ambitious and have lower expectations of themselves, often aiming to just reach, rather than exceed, the score required to be awarded bonus points. These findings present teachers with a series of challenges to contend with, most notably in terms of catering for much higher levels of diversity in the mathematics classroom. It is therefore unsurprising that the majority of teachers in our study would like to see the BPI retained but adjusted (56%) or discontinued and not replaced (23%). From RTÉ Radio 1's Today With Claire Byrne, why do so many adults struggle with everyday maths? As well as having implications for teachers, the BPI may also be impacting the grades being awarded to students. Between 2008 and 2024, the profile of students studying HL maths has changed considerably. A figure which has remained consistent in this time is the combined proportion of students opting to complete their Leaving Certificate maths examinations at either HL or OL (ranging from 87.9% to 94.1%). Given that the maths capabilities of the combined HL and OL cohorts are unlikely to have varied too much from year to year, one would expect that the proportion of students achieving at the upper end of the HL grading spectrum would remain consistent. However, we found this was not the case. When comparing Leaving Cert maths'; results from 2008 to 2019, there is a 44% increase in the proportion of all HL and OL students achieving a score of 70% (H3 or above in current grading system) or better in the HL examination. When 2008 is compared to 2024, there is a 116% increase in this proportion. While some of this inflation can likely be attributed to the impact of the predicted grades policy in 2020 and 2021, this trend of grade inflation was already in evidence prior to 2020. Given teachers' concerns about the profile of students now opting for HL maths, it is highly unlikely that this increase can be attributed to a better calibre of student studying HL mathematics as a result of the BPI. Grade inflation of this nature can lead to a loss of confidence amongst stakeholders regarding the capacity for Leaving Certificate grades to provide valid and reliable information about students. This can lead to students being admitted to third-level courses for which they are not sufficiently mathematically prepared, an issue which has been highlighted in Ireland recently. Overall, these research studies offer the first comprehensive evaluation of the BPI. While it is clear that the primary objective of the BPI has been achieved, there have certainly been some unintended consequences. Assigning mathematics a special status has impacted on students' motivations for pursuing Higher Level maths. This has led to a need for different teaching practices in classrooms; and raised concerns about the competencies of students graduating from second level. If the bonus points initiative is to continue, these implications need to be considered to ensure we develop students with the required mathematical competencies to guarantee a knowledge economy. University of Limerick. She is the Deputy Director of EPI∙STEM, the national centre for STEM Education. Dr Páraic Treacy is a Lecturer in Mathematics in the School of Education at Mary Immaculate College, Thurles. Dr Mark Prendergast is a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education in the School of Education at UCC. He is a Research Ireland awardee.
The Hindu
08-05-2025
- The Hindu
Can parents keep tabs on the social media use of teens?
The recent death of a young entrepreneur, who reportedly took the extreme step after she lost followers on social media, is sufficient reason for us to pause and assess the role of social media in our lives. There is no doubt that social media is here to stay and has a huge role to play in our lives. By holding up a world that seems perfect, and fickle with its devotion, social media can take a toll on mental health, particularly that of youngsters. On the other hand, the Netflix series Adolescence dragged us willy-nilly into a world of teenagers that adults thought they understood but were actually far off the mark from. Given the centrality of social media in the lives of children, how can adults navigate this terrain? Can parents keep tabs on the social media use of teens? Here we discuss the question. Guests: Meghna Singhal, clinical psychotherapist from NIMHANS and parenting coach; Sannuthi Suresh, programme co-ordinatior, healing and support services, Tulir Centre for Prevention and Healing of Child Sexual Abuse Host: Ramya Kannan Read the parley article here. You can now find The Hindu's podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for Parley by The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at socmed4@
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion: Stephen Miller Rolls Out MAGA's Indoctrination Plan for Kids
Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher (update links). White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller calling liberals 'communists' has The New Abnormal's Danielle Moodie and Andy Levy convinced that America has stepped back in time for worse under the first 100 days of President Donald Trump's second term. Levy quipped, 'Is woke losing its power is a pejorative? Did they have to bring back communists like it's the 1950s or 1980s?' Miller made the comment in a Thursday White House press briefing that previewed MAGA's indoctrination plan for kids as he discussed the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the Department of Education and eliminate critical race theory from schools. 'Children will be taught to love America. Children will be taught to be patriots. Children will be taught civic values for schools that want federal taxpayer funding. So as we close the Department of Education and provide funding to states, we're going to make sure these funds are not being used to promote communist ideology.' Levy added, 'Steven Miller wouldn't know a civic virtue if it punched him in the face.' Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or Overcast. And it's all only just begun as Trump's second-term administration marks its first 100 days. 'It's the 100th day of chaos,' said Moodie. 'A hundred days of collapse. A hundred days of calamity. Every minute is like 10 years. That's how I feel. Every part of me hurts.' Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and Stitcher. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Opinion: There's One Looming Reason Why Trump Fired Waltz Not Hegseth
Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher. Laura Loomer has struck again. The New Abnormal's Danielle Moodie and Andy Levy think they've figured out why President Donald Trump chose to fire National Security Adviser Mike Waltz over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following several Signalgates. According to Levy, all signs point to notorious Trump soothsayer Laura Loomer. Trump fired a top national security aide in early April because Loomer didn't like him, and, 'I am fairly certain that Mike Waltz is one of the people that Laura Loomer doesn't like,' said Levy. 'I guess what I would say is I don't think it's surprising that Waltz is gone,' he added. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast. Plus, David J. Sirota, founder and editor-in-chief of The Lever and Academy Award-nominated screenplay writer of Netflix's Don't Look Up, breaks down Trump's chaotic first 100 days. 'The economic contraction can really be blamed almost singularly on Donald Trump,' said Sirota. 'This is not some hangover from the Biden administration's policies. Donald Trump came in and was a shock to the system.' Then, Media Matters for America's senior fellow Matt Gertz examines MAGA's media spinning of Trump's collapsing poll numbers. Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Has the Pahalgam terror attack crossed a red line?
The calculated brutality of the terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir appears to have crossed a red line for India-Pakistan ties that were already at an all-time low. Following its diplomatic measures against Pakistan, what appropriate military response can India craft? Has the Pahalgam attack crossed a red line? Here we discuss the question. Guests: Sharat Sabharwal, former High Commissioner to Pakistan and author of India's Pakistan Conundrum: Managing a Complex Relationship; Lieutenant General (Retired) Deependra Singh Hooda, former Commander in Chief of the Indian Army's Northern Command and oversaw the surgical strikes across the Line of Control in 2016 Host: Suhasini Haidar Read the parley article here. You can now find The Hindu's podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for Parley by The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at socmed4@
