HSC board praised for ease of maths paper
By Kelly Burke, Education Reporter
October 27, 2004
Another strife-free Higher School Certificate mathematics paper has teachers congratulating the NSW Board of Studies for its willingness to listen and act on their concerns.
But the board has rejected the accolades, arguing that the maths exams tailored for the less numerically inclined were consistent with previous years.
As with Monday's more advanced two-unit maths exam, teachers praised yesterday's general maths paper for its fairness and accessibility.
A spokeswoman for the Mathematical Association of NSW, Margaret Bigelow, said the paper was clearly articulated and free of "major dramas and nasties".
"I think the board has listened to the feedback they've been given," she said.
"They're taking it on board, and they should be commended."
Since the HSC syllabus was overhauled in 2000 the Board of Studies has come under increasing criticism by teachers and academics for doing away with Maths in Society and Maths in Practice - subjects that encouraged less academically inclined students to continue with maths.
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The new general maths course was simply too hard for many of these students, critics argued, prompting many to do away with the subject altogether.
But a spokeswoman for the president of the NSW Board of Studies, Professor Gordon Stanley, denied this year's maths papers were any easier than previous years.
"The board's instructions to the examination committee do not vary," she said.
"The committee's job is to develop papers that assess students' performance against the same standards each year."
To add weight to the board's argument, the spokeswoman said the committee began working on exam papers 12 months in advance, and was in the early stages of writing next year's.
However, Simon Suters, head of maths at Airds High School in Campbelltown, said the general maths paper was comparatively straightforward.
"By past years' standards it was easier," he said. "In previous years it's been a bit too difficult for the general population of kids who elect to do this course."
Mr Suters said the multiple-choice section was an opportunity for some "meaty marks".
By Kelly Burke, Education Reporter
October 27, 2004
Another strife-free Higher School Certificate mathematics paper has teachers congratulating the NSW Board of Studies for its willingness to listen and act on their concerns.
But the board has rejected the accolades, arguing that the maths exams tailored for the less numerically inclined were consistent with previous years.
As with Monday's more advanced two-unit maths exam, teachers praised yesterday's general maths paper for its fairness and accessibility.
A spokeswoman for the Mathematical Association of NSW, Margaret Bigelow, said the paper was clearly articulated and free of "major dramas and nasties".
"I think the board has listened to the feedback they've been given," she said.
"They're taking it on board, and they should be commended."
Since the HSC syllabus was overhauled in 2000 the Board of Studies has come under increasing criticism by teachers and academics for doing away with Maths in Society and Maths in Practice - subjects that encouraged less academically inclined students to continue with maths.
Advertisement Advertisement
The new general maths course was simply too hard for many of these students, critics argued, prompting many to do away with the subject altogether.
But a spokeswoman for the president of the NSW Board of Studies, Professor Gordon Stanley, denied this year's maths papers were any easier than previous years.
"The board's instructions to the examination committee do not vary," she said.
"The committee's job is to develop papers that assess students' performance against the same standards each year."
To add weight to the board's argument, the spokeswoman said the committee began working on exam papers 12 months in advance, and was in the early stages of writing next year's.
However, Simon Suters, head of maths at Airds High School in Campbelltown, said the general maths paper was comparatively straightforward.
"By past years' standards it was easier," he said. "In previous years it's been a bit too difficult for the general population of kids who elect to do this course."
Mr Suters said the multiple-choice section was an opportunity for some "meaty marks".
