One in Three Students Are Falling Behind in Maths
By Pascal Press I April 15, 2025
A recent article from ABC News (2025) highlights a national concern: one in three Australian students is failing to meet minimum standards in mathematics. The findings, based on new research from the Grattan Institute, reveal the scale of the challenge—and point to the urgent need for a shift in how maths is taught and supported in schools.
According to the report, Australia is falling behind other countries in core numeracy. Just 13% of Year 4 students reach advanced levels in maths, compared to 22% in England and 49% in Singapore. These figures show that without targeted reform, many students risk being left behind.
To address this growing gap, the Grattan Institute has released a five-step action plan called The Maths Guarantee, aiming to lift student achievement and restore confidence in maths learning.
The report recommends:
Setting a national proficiency goal – aiming for 90% of students to meet key standards within a decade
Improving classroom teaching – with more explicit, structured instruction
Providing targeted support – for students who are behind
Strengthening teacher training – so educators are better equipped to teach maths effectively
Using high-quality resources – that are proven to work in the classroom
One standout example cited in the report is Templestowe Heights Primary School in Victoria, which saw a major boost in student outcomes after adopting sequenced, skills-based teaching. Intervention levels dropped from 20% of students to just 4%—proof that the right approach can deliver real results.
While classroom reforms are essential, learning support at home plays an equally important role. At Pascal Press, we offer a range of maths resources designed to reinforce classroom learning and help students master key concepts at every stage of their education.
For younger children, ABC Mathseeds provides a fun and interactive way to develop early maths skills. With engaging activities focused on number recognition, counting, patterns, and basic operations, Mathseeds helps set a strong foundation for future learning.
We offer a wide range of resources tailored to different ability levels:
Targeting Maths (K–6): A comprehensive, year-level series that supports all strands of the Australian Maths Curriculum, including number, geometry, data, and measurement.
Excel Basic Skills: Focused practice in core areas like number operations, fractions, and measurement—ideal for building essential maths foundations.
Excel Advanced Skills: For students ready to extend their learning with more complex problem-solving, algebra, and reasoning tasks.
Catch-Up Maths: Specifically designed for students in Years 3–6 who are struggling with grade-level maths. This series breaks concepts down to the basics, includes guided examples and practice questions, and features QR-linked instructional videos to support independent learning at home.
Excel Essential Skills provides targeted practice in topics such as algebra, geometry, statistics, and problem-solving, supporting students as they prepare for assessments.
Excel Study Guides cover key syllabus content with clear explanations and worked examples, perfect for revising major concepts.
Excel HSC Success One workbooks offer real past exam papers with fully worked solutions to help students familiarise themselves with HSC-style questions and exam formats.
Using these high-quality resources at home can give your child the extra practice they need to stay on track and excel in maths. Whether they need support with foundational skills or are ready for more advanced challenges, we have the right tools to help them succeed.
References
Chung, L. (2025, April 14). One in three students failing to meet maths benchmarks, report calls for overhaul of teacher training. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-14/maths-results-teacher-training-grattan-report/105159460