Aim

The aim of the project was to review the statistics and data handling content of GCSE to determine what should be retained as part of the core curriculum for mathematics and what might be beneficially seeded for delivery through other subjects, particularly science.

The review was a direct result of recommendation 4.4 of the report Making Mathematics Count by Smith (2004) :

Recommendation 4.4 in Making Mathematics Count
'The Inquiry recommendations that there should be an immediate review by the QCA and its regulatory partners of the future role and positioning of Statistics and Data Handling within the overall 14-19 curriculum. This should be informed by: (i) a recognition of the need to restore more time to the mathematics curriculum for the reinforcement of core skills, such as fluency in algebra and reasoning about geometrical properties and (ii) a recognition of the key importance of Statistics and Data Handling as a topic in its own right and the desirability of its integration with other subject areas (see, also, Recommendation 4.11).'

More details about recommendation 4.11 and other aspects of the report can be found by downloading from the url at the foot of this page.

1 Smith, A. F. M. (2004). Making Mathematics Count. Report of the Inquiry into Post-14 Mathematics Education. London: The Stationery Office Ltd. Available at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/mathsinquiry/