Publisher's Synopsis
This book is essential reading in the sociology of education, social policy and mathematics education. It is for teachers, principals, superintendents, school leaders and policymakers. For too long, many children have not achieved their best potential in mathematics at both primary and secondary schools. Although scholarly interest in students' attitudes towards mathematics and achievement in mathematics has increased, there is scant research which explores the explanatory potential of Bourdieu's trilogy of habitus, cultural capital and social field in investigating students' attitudes towards mathematics. The content is based on a rich empirical study of 1106 students aged 14-16 and gives a detailed account drawing on both quantitative and qualitative data to show the intersection of social class, gender and ethnicity on students' aspiration, attitudes towards mathematics and mathematical achievement at GCSE in secondary schools in England.
