Solving the maths problem: international perspectives on mathematics education

Executive summary

The Vorderman Report (2011) has reinvigorated debate about the state
of mathematics education in England. The statistics it cites are stark: nearly 50% of students fail to achieve GCSE Mathematics in secondary education and England ranks amongst the lowest in the world for rates of students study- ing mathematics in upper secondary education. This report outlines the core choices facing mathematics education and builds on the recommendations
of the Vorderman Report by examin-
ing which mathematics approaches and reforms have worked overseas. The paper does not recommend directly importing practice from either of the case study sites, high-achieving Hong Kong or neighbouring Scotland, but rather that their experiences of wide-ranging re- forms should inform debate in England.