Preparing students for decision-making in the 21st century - Statistics and probability in the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics

The place of statistics in The Australian Curriculum: Mathematics has been controversial from several perspectives. These perspectives are considered throughout the chapter. Discussion includes a comparison of the content of the Statistics and Probability strand with the model of a statistical investigation leading to beginning inference. Relevant research that underlies the current or alternative content is presented. An important focus of the chapter is the relevance of context to the study of statistics and probability, along with the need for numeracy across the entire curriculum and the contribution of statistical literacy to this goal. Interviews with classroom teachers are used to document implementation of Statistics and Probability in the classroom and to gain suggestions on changes to the curriculum and professional learning required to assist further implementation. Work samples illustrate some of the implementation that has taken place. Synthesizing these aspects results in recommendations for further research in classrooms with teachers and students in order to obtain outcomes that will assist students in the 21 st century to make meaningful decisions in relation to data and risk.