Improving achievement through implementing mixed ability in a Mathematics department.�

Fergus Maclean

Overview

• Introduction – quick overview of history
• Research Review, EEF & PISA
• Departmental Structure/Course Planning
• Impact/Results

Research Review

“The biggest fixed mindset message we give to kids is to tell them they are low/middle/high ability.”

Jo Boaler

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4iAwShVIBE

88%

Research Review

Fixed/Growth mindset

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Developing a Growth Mindset with Carol Dweck – youtube summary

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Growth Mindset and Enhanced Learning | Teaching Commons – Mindset summary and some practical advice

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Research Review

“There is no evidence from research studies that ability grouping between classes is associated with improved mathematics learning outcomes for all students.

However, there is evidence that the longer students remain in ability groups, the greater the achievement gap between lower and higher attaining students becomes.”

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/maths/ability-grouping.pdf

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Research Review

“If three pupils with the same scores on entrance to school were placed in different sets, one in a top set, one in a middle set and one in a low set, the performance of the pupil in a top set would be significantly higher and that of the pupil in the bottom set significantly lower.” 

(Ireson, Hallam, Hack, Clark, & Plewis, 2002, p. 311)

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Research Review - Podcasts

https://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/helen-hindle-mixed-attainment-teaching-and-growth-mindset/

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https://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/research-in-action-19-teaching-mixed-attainment-with-tom-francome/

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Research Review – Pro Setting

https://fulhamboysschool.org/why-mixed-ability-maths-just-doesnt-add-up/

https://www.drmarkdixon.com/blog/setting-things-straight-on-mixed-ability-in-school/

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“I want to see setting in every single school. Parents know it works. Teachers know it works.”

David Cameron

Recent EEF Paper �https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and-evaluation/projects/student-grouping-study

Summarised Findings (1)

Summarised Findings (2)

Summarised Findings (3)

PISA

Consistently top performing countries in PISA assessments:

• Singapore
• Taipei
• Hong Kong
• Japan
• South Korea

PISA - Europe

Estonia: Mixed ability

Netherlands: Mixed till 14 then mixed within pathways

Poland: Mixed till 14. Pathways

Switzerland: Mixed till 14. Specialised academic/vocational pathways. No setting.

Sweden: Setting barred by law, except for those with severe additional challenges.

Finland: Mixed ability, with opportunities to specialise in later high school

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Structure Summary

• S1/2 Mixed Ability.
• S3 Flexible N4 and N5 pathways – combination of Maths/Apps.
• S4 Pupils choose course, we select level.
• S5/6 Nearly all pupils continue same course to next level.

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• Some dual presentation (N4 backup to N5).
• No double presentation (Maths/Apps).

Structure & Planning S1/2

• Classes come in register classes.
• These classes follow a common course, reviewing level 2 leading to level 3. During S2 this gradually shifts to include level 4.
• One small supported class following differentiated course. No supported class initially, but department felt it was necessary.

Structure & Planning S1/2

Structure & Planning S1/2

Structure & Planning S1/2

Structure & Planning S1/2

Structure & Planning S1/2

Structure & Planning S1/2

Activities �S1/2

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Activities �S1/2

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Extension Activities S1/2

Count the blocks!

Assessment S1/2

S1/2 Record Sheet

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Structure & Planning S1/2

S1/2 Record Sheet

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Departmental Structure S3

• 2 Flexible Pathways:
• Targeted at National 4 in S4.
• Targeted at National 5 in S4.
• Mixed classes within each pathway.

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• Adjustments to presentation made late in S3 and after prelims.

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Creating �Classes

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Assessment S3

Courses S4

• Learners choose course for S4 during S3.
• Department selects level. Usually some parental feedback at this point.
• No double presentation. This benefits the school only.

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Courses Available

• Applications of Mathematics at National 3, 4, 5
• Mathematics at National 4, 5.
• Some dual level presentation

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Assessment & Recording S4

Departmental Structure S5/6

Learners nearly all continue with same course in S5/6.

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Courses available

• N5 Numeracy plus PF level 5.
• N5 and Higher Applications of Mathematics.
• N5, H and AH Mathematics.

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Departmental Structure S5/6

• Where there is more than one class of the same course in a column, classes are established in the same way as for S3/4, based on estimates of N5. This applies mostly to Higher.

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Results/Impact

• S1 Mixed ability started in 2018. SQA in 2022.
• 2019 SQA results:

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Level 5 - 2019 SQA vs 2022 SQA

Level 6 - 2019 SQA vs 2023 SQA

Insight - Mathematics

Advanced Higher +1.63

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Higher +0.70

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National 5 +0.82

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Insight – Applications of Mathematics

Higher +0.26

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National 5 +1.14

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