Mathematics

Each cycle of the global Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) includes a student questionnaire. One questionnaire topic – effort and persistence in mathematics – is essential for students’ success and skill development. The data provide useful prompts for teachers when considering their own students.

‘… research published in recent months has shown how students’ dispositions to learning are shaped by us, and how these dispositions in turn influence achievement.’ In his latest Teacher column, Professor Martin Westwell – Chief Executive of the South Australian Department for Education – discusses the maths gender gap.

This term, thousands of 15-year-olds around Australia are sitting PISA – showing how they can apply their knowledge and skills to real-life problems and situations. Here, we look at what’s new for the 2025 cycle of this global assessment, and how teachers and leaders can use PISA insights to inform their own practice and drive school improvement.

In this episode of Teacher Staffroom, we share some of the highlights from the past month on Teacher, including an article on the International Mathematical Modeling Challenge and a contribution from Rachael Lehr on how to start the term off strongly.

Latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) data show the degree to which teachers are clear in the way they deliver the mathematics and science curriculum is likely to influence student learning. This includes ensuring students understand the learning goals for each lesson, being able to explain key concepts, and giving students helpful feedback. Find out more in this infographic.

Australia’s year 4s achieved the country’s best-ever result in the latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Alongside the year 4 and 8 assessments, students, teachers and principals at participating schools completed a questionnaire – those findings have been released today.

Each cycle of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) includes a student questionnaire. One topic – mathematics anxiety – is characterised by feelings of tension, fear or apprehension when a person is faced with mathematics-related tasks. Today’s infographic provides useful prompts for teachers when considering their own students.

Students develop their capabilities when they transfer and apply their skills and knowledge to different contexts, including real-world scenarios. In this article we speak to the teacher advisors of the Australian winners of the International Mathematical Modeling Challenge (IM2C) about the benefits for students, and their own practice.

In this edition of Researching education: Five further readings, we’re sharing resources on mathematics education in primary and secondary, including on teaching finance, mathematics anxiety and more. 

New research from academics at the University of the Sunshine Coast shows that maths and science educators can use visual cues in nature like animal trails and patterns to explore both simple and complex mathematical concepts with students.