Maths and English from Year 3 to Year 9: A student perspective Sue Helme and Richard Teese Centre for Research on Education Systems The University of Melbourne September 2011

Raising Achievement in Public Schools (RAPS) project Research questions How do students see their learning opportunities? How do school leaders and teachers see the challenge of raising student achievement in NMR? What strategies are schools using to raise achievement? How effective are they? Which students make the most progress? What more needs to be done?

Methodology Analysis of matched NAPLAN data at three collection points: 2010, 2012 and 2014 Student surveys 2010 (Years 3, 5, 7, 9, 12 in 20 schools, 4000 responses) Teacher surveys 2010 (20 schools, 249 responses) Leadership and teacher focus groups 2011 and 2013 (20 schools)

Today’s presentation Analysis of student experiences in English and mathematics classrooms (Years 3, 5, 7 and 9) Student views on how to improve teaching and learning (Years 7 and 9)

Indicators % Agree/strongly agree to these statements 1.The work we do is interesting 2.My teacher understands how I learn 3.My teacher goes too fast for me 4.My teacher explains thing to me clearly 5.My teacher gives me help when I need it 6.My teacher gives me useful feedback on my work / checks my work and helps me do better

1. The work we do is interesting

2. My teacher understands how I learn

3. My teacher goes too fast for me

4. My teacher explains things to me clearly

5. My teacher gives me help when I need it

6. My teacher gives me useful feedback on my work

If you could improve maths and the way it is taught in your school, what changes would you make?

Examples of student feedback I wouldn't change anything, my maths teacher is the best Not much, just need to work harder and be more organized think it should be taught in a more hands-on way The only change I would make would be to put a slow explaining box on the teacher Harder work for those who are above the rest of the grade No more boring exercises! More real-life situations instead of working from the book all the time I would get the teacher to become more strict and not let the class go wild

4%Improve learning conditions 8%Improve curriculum 16%Better teachers 20%More focus on individual needs 26%Improve the way we learn maths 8% Take more responsibility for my own learning 19%No changes needed!

I wouldn't really want to change maths at this school. I wouldn't change anything, my maths teacher is the best. I wouldn't change it at all because my teacher explains it well. Nothing really because I learn heaps which is really good. The teacher does it really well. Nothing really. I am happy with the way I am being taught this year

Take more responsibility for my own learning Making more of the effort to come to school and show that I want to learn Always bring my equipment to class and respect and listen to my teacher and do all my homework I would listen and concentrate more and answer more questions Not much, just need to work harder and be more organized Trying harder, concentrating, asking the teacher when I need help, learn new strategies to get a better understanding of my work. Ask for more help, not be shy or anything like that. Listen well and try to work as hard as I can Do more homework at home and organise my time

Improving the way we learn maths Do more maths from things other than the text book Make maths more fun and have games because people learn more when they are having fun I think it should be taught in a more hands-on way Share your ideas, talk about the topic, students give ideas to the teacher The teacher could make more activities in groups and not just by ourselves. More outdoor activities instead of constant work indoors Do some different things like more computer activities or projects, rather than constantly do exercises out of the book.

Stronger focus on individual needs Smaller classes and more one-on-one time I would make an afterschool program if the kids can't understand something I would like my teacher to come to me and help me The only change I would make would be put a slow explaining box on the teacher I would make it simpler and easier to learn Harder work for those who are above the rest of the grade I would have different levels taught in all classes, so if you get it you can do the work, but if you need help you can ask for it

Teachers and their professional practice Teacher who knows the subject Get teachers that care about us individually and the way we learn Have teachers that are fluent in English Have good teachers that know how to communicate with students. The teacher needs to listen to the students. Teachers who explain the concept in different ways until you get it very well

Improve the curriculum More intriguing things to get people to like maths I would like to learn more about why we are learning certain mathematical things The students to have some say in what they learn Give people options and do not force kids into doing something a certain way. E.g. giving an open ended project More real-life situations instead of working from the book all the time. I would make the work more relevant to day to day life Teach us kids the things that we would need in the future. No more boring exercises!

Improve learning conditions I would get the teacher to become more strict and not let the class go wild. Make it more disciplined and make sure everyone gets help. Remove some interruptive students from my class. The classroom makes a big difference because if its in poor condition, it's hard to concentrate Make the rooms brighter, warmer in cold weather and cold in hot weather. Better facilities and better equipment. We can improve it by making a maths centre

Summary of student feedback Better classroom discipline, less disruption, classroom in good condition, better equipment for learning. Improve learning conditions Bring equipment to class, be more organised, listen to teacher, concentrate better, ask for help when needed, complete homework Take more responsibility More information on why we are learning something, more choice, more interesting content, more connected with the world outside the classroom, more relevant to the future Improve the curriculum Good subject knowledge, greater empathy, better English language skills, able to relate well to students, good listener, able to explain in different ways Teachers & their practice Slower pace of learning, more individual assistance, smaller class sizes, a second teacher or helper in the classroom, outside-class assistance or tutoring, content differentiated by ability More focus on individual needs More enjoyable activities, maths games, hands-on learning, less use of textbook exercises, more classroom interaction, group work, ICT-based learning activities, outdoor activities, projects and excursions Improve how we learn

Suggested improvements: gap between high and low achievers