Is Maths for me? Understanding and promoting disadvantaged students' academic aspirations for Mathematics (ARC Discovery Project led by the Australian Catholic University) (2014–2017)
Abstract:
The problem of persistent decline in participation in post-compulsory mathematics in Australian schools and
universities has been aggravated when disadvantaged students are taken into consideration. We, however,
know little as to how, why and under what circumstances disadvantaged students make decisions to quit or
continue learning advanced Mathematics. To address this national challenge, three related studies will
explore systematically disadvantaged students¿ academic aspirations during the early and senior secondary
periods, track their development within dynamic interplay of individual, social and schooling influences, and
explore effective schooling practices capable of sustaining aspirations in advanced Mathematics.