Summary of proposals (from QCA website)

• AS/A level use of mathematics and AS/A level use of statistics should both be comprised of six units.

• AS/A level use of mathematics and AS/A level use of statistics should both make use of the same common pool of units, namely FSMQs.

• FSMQs will be available at AS and/or A2 level in at least the following areas:
  Calculus, Mechanics, Finance, Decision mathematics, Statistics.

• AS/A level use of mathematics should have a wide choice of units.
  AS use of mathematics should consist of one compulsory unit in algebra, plus any two AS FSMQs.
  At A2, students should take the A2 calculus FSMQ, a controlled assessment unit and one other A2 FSMQ. The units may be selected to best relate to the student's programme.

• AS/A level use of statistics will not contain options. AS use of statistics should consist of one compulsory unit, which will be a controlled assessment, plus two AS statistics FSMQs, with a similar structure at A2. The controlled assessment unit will require students to carry out two tasks, one on a topic from each of the FSMQs. These tasks may be contextualised in the student's other studies and/or interests

You can read more about this and have your say by visiting the QCA website.

The closing date of the consultation is Friday 10 July 2009.

ACME position statement

The Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education (ACME) has recently produced a position statement on level 3 mathematics. A number of the recommendations made by ACME chime with the proposals contained in this consultation. The position statement can be viewed on the ACME website.