Raising the number of young people pursuing quantitative skills post-16
Too many students do not have the quantitative skills they need for HE and/or the workplace.
It is estimated that over 200,000 students leave school to embark on an HE course for which they are not fully prepared. It is left to HE to address the deficit.
In Autumn 2011, two roundtable meetings looked at the quantitative skills needed on first degree Social Science and STEM (sciences, technology, engineering and maths) programmes and the challenges faced by universities (and students) because those skills are so often not developed in school. To find out more, read the Social Sciences and the STEM roundtable meeting reports (and note how similar the issues around quantitative skills are for each community!).
getstats is now working alongside partners in HE, subject bodies and exam boards to turn things around: developing alternative ‘pathways’ which equip 16-19 year olds with the statistical understanding, know-how and skills they need for further study and the workplace and boosting the quantitative content of social sciences and humanities first degree courses.
Methods
Methodspace is the ‘home of the research methods community’ where themes are discussed and questions asked and answered.
John Hall is a veteran social researcher who maintains a wide network and whose website is a useful source for everything SPSS related.
Inspiring teaching and learning
Building confidence so students can learn, value and use statistics in tackling life’s issues…
The ‘Significance in the Classroom’ project is reaching out to secondary and FE teachers of all subjects in which statistics is used and taught. Building their confidence and skills in sharing real world applications of statistics will generate meaningful learning of the subject and school leavers who have the statistical life skills they need.
The RSS Centre for Statistical Education (RSSCSE): the RSSCSE aims ‘to promote the improvement of statistical education, training and understanding at all ages’. The RSSCSE’s ‘AtSchool’ series: CensusAtSchool International, ExperimentsAtSchool, SportAtschool and others, alongside active participation in the BBC News School Report represent a small part of the Centre’s services and support for teachers and learners.
getstats poster competition
The 2011 getstats poster competition for UK school students was aimed at helping students to understand the environment through data and to develop statistical skills which will help them in their daily lives. Winners of the 11-15 category were from Harris City Academy, SE London and the winner of the 16-18 category was from Aquinas College, Stockport.
