State of the nation
Details of the 'State of the nation' education policy project.
Project details
The Royal Society’s series of ‘state of the nation’ reports are the results of a four year investigation into science and mathematics education in the United Kingdom.
The four reports cover:
- Preparing for the transfer from school and college science and mathematics education to higher education first degree courses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the UK (February 2011)
- Science and mathematics education for 5–14 year olds (July 2010)
- Science and mathematics education for 14–19 year olds (October 2008)
- The UK’s science and mathematics teaching workforce (December 2007)
Each of these reports synthesises a combination of official national statistics and research evidence. Together they provide a measure, in statistical terms, of the ‘health’ of science and mathematics education across the UK.
The reports are chiefly concerned with identifying, assessing and understanding significant patterns and trends in participation and attainment in mainstream examinations. They probe and evaluate the strength of the evidence base available – upon which future educational policy may be expected to be based – establishing weaknesses and gaps. They also identify research needs and policy actions to improve the quality of science and mathematics education in the UK.