GCSE mathematics opens doors For many people, gcse mathematics will be a keeper; if you want to do a certain job, you will need a good grade in GCSE mathematics. You may be an excellent police officer, but without GCSE mathematics, many forces will not accept you. The initiative is not as innovative as media coverage might suggest. Most higher education institutions already offer courses in English and mathematics.
In fact, many students recognize that both subjects are an integral element in being considered employable and choose to retake these exams. Some are able to pass on their second attempt. Others try it three times and can't get a C grade in any of the subjects. So what are we going to do with those who may have successfully completed a post-16 grade but can't get the precious C's in English and mathematics? Is your achievement worthless? Some may see this as mere picky, but in times of limited resources, schools and universities will be forced to make difficult decisions about whether they are able to provide the same level of support to students who cannot earn C grades and those who need to be pressured to do so.
If we agree that our focus should be on students reaching grade C, we run the risk of leaving behind weaker students. In addition, with Gove, there have been major changes in funding for post-16 education, leaving many sixth-grade schools and universities facing budget cuts of up to 15%. The policy, which begins this quarter, is worrying in its opacity on how this new initiative will be financed. The Association of Colleges estimates that 1,000 additional English and 1,100 mathematics teachers will be needed.
Will institutions be provided with jackpots of extra money? In my experience, students who do not perform highly in a subject tend to face it with hatred, sometimes with passion, sometimes with reserve. Their aversion to that topic and their desire for it to end can often lead to a dangerous lack of trust and disaffection with education. They don't need more of the same: a rapidly evolving prescriptive curriculum that culminates in an exam they think they're likely to fail. The government should provide increased funding, focus on smaller classes, and allow schools the freedom to move away from the curriculum when it suits the needs of their students.
As it stands, Gove's plan risks further stigmatizing thousands of people looking for a better path through. Math and English GCSEs are qualifications they rely on and are traditionally set as the benchmark for a number of job opportunities. However, GCSE degree equivalents are also a great way to demonstrate that you have the necessary knowledge to be an asset to your business. GCSEs provide the first formal record of your academic capacity and potential.
If you did them in school, you'll remember how your entire future seemed to depend on the outcome of your GCSE results. While the reality may not be so dramatic, GCSEs do, in fact, play a very important role in their post-16 journey. GCSE provides you with a solid foundation on which to build with more studies. Even if you're studying GCSE mathematics as a checkbox exercise, keep an open mind as it can significantly increase your chances of employment.
It may be unlikely that you will need to calculate pi or solve trigonometry equations as a chef, but learning basic mathematical skills at the GCSE level helps develop essential skills that are used daily. Functional Skills Mathematics and English courses teach you the practical application of both subjects, to help you make the most of life, learning and work. Recent studies have shown that a particular part of the brain is activated when performing mental mathematics exercises, and this is directly related to better emotional health. Most employers expect people to have good GCSEs in math and English and, without this, it can be difficult to get your foot in the door.
Students struggling with basic literacy and numeracy skills do not need a GCSE grade C by age 19. Until people realize the lifelong value of mathematics and English, problems stemming from poor math and English skills continue to spiral. In recent years, several important steps have been taken to improve the approach of education systems to teach pupils these subjects, in order to increase the level of English and mathematics in England. These important initiatives further attest to the importance of mathematics and English skills, not only for children and young people in education, but also for adults who left the education system without the required level of knowledge. Whether you have a clear idea of the career path you want to pursue or you keep your options open, the results of your GCSE greatly affect your higher education and future career plans.
For example, most advanced learning requires about five GCSEs in grades A*-C, including English and Math. As such, in addition to having a better quality of life, it is also demonstrated that people who receive education in English and mathematics have a longer life expectancy. Evidence now suggests that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is stimulated by solving memory-based mathematical problems, and increased activity in this area leads to fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression. Luckily, there's something you can do about it now if your GCSE results weren't what you needed the first time around.
For example, understanding mathematics is important because it allows people to take complex processes and make them more manageable, by applying structures, patterns, and rules.
