Maths coursework review begins

A majority of maths teachers had concerns about coursework

A consultation has been launched into the immediate future of GCSE maths coursework in England, the government's curriculum watchdog has said.

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority said it was prompted by teachers' concerns.

The authority published a report on coursework which said some pupils were getting too much teacher and parental help and copying each other's work.

Education Secretary Ruth Kelly called for a wide-ranging review.

Of maths teachers surveyed for the QCA's report, 66% said coursework was problematic, whereas in other subjects larger majorities felt it was an important method of assessment.

GCSE maths coursework currently constitutes 20% of overall marks, which are distributed equally between two topics: using and applying mathematics, and handling data.

The QCA said there was "evidence that using and applying mathematics is considered more valuable in terms of assessing skills than the data-handling exercise".

Its November report also identified a lack of consistency with regard to marking and assessment, and said copying from the internet "could not be controlled".

But it also said that coursework provided rich opportunities for in-depth study, as well as helping pupils to remain motivated and take responsibility for their own learning.

The consultation into maths coursework ends on 8 May and the QCA said it would underpin policy until 2010.