[Previous] [Contents] [Next]

Standards and Quality in Secondary Schools 1995-1999: Mathematics

INTRODUCTION

This report is based on inspections of 92 mathematics departments in secondary schools during the period 1995-1999. In 87 of these schools the departmental inspection was part of a whole school inspection leading to a published report; the remaining five inspections were of individual departments and did not lead to published reports.

The report starts with a summary of key strengths and points for action in mathematics teaching in secondary schools. The sections that follow consider standards and quality in courses, pupil attainment, learning and teaching, resources, ethos and management in mathematics departments. The report follows on from:

• Standards and Quality in Scottish Schools 1995 to 1998 ( HMI Audit Unit, 1999);
• Effective Learning and Teaching in Scottish Secondary Schools : Mathematics ( HMI, 1993);
• Achievement for All (HMI, 1996);
• Achieving Success in S1/S2 ( HMI, 1997); and
• Improving Mathematics Education 5 - 14 ( HMI, 1997)

In assessing standards and quality, HMI use published criteria in the form of performance indicators which support our traditional analysis based on collective professional expertise. The indicators relate judgements to four levels of performance:

The use in this report of proportions and percentages is the same as in Standards and Quality in Scottish Schools 1995 to 1998. The following word-scale is used to assist the reader's understanding to ensure consistency:

almost all	over 90%
most	75 - 90%
majority	50 - 75%
less than half	15 - 50%
few	up to 15%

Note: The percentage figures used to report on performance indicator evaluations have been rounded to the nearest 5%.

[Previous] [Contents] [Next]