Year 12 students' and higher mathematics: emerging issues

In order for young Australians to contribute to economic prosperity and remain competitive in a global market place, participation in higher and further education is essential. In this context, participation in mathematics, and in particular, higher mathematics, is an important prerequisite for young Australians to enable them to develop the range of skills that underpin a scientifically literate workforce. This is a report on a study in progress focusing on the fact that participation in mathematics study at higher levels to Year 12, and in universities in Australia, is in decline. We provide data on the specific nature of this decline and explore emerging issues that need to be investigated including reasons why students choose to and do not choose to participate in higher-level mathematics.