新南威尔士州年3学生的数学成绩表现堪忧。超过三分之一的学生未能达到数学基准线[1]，同时约三分之一的学生在阅读、写作、语法和标点方面也未能达标[1]。在地区差异上，外围地区学生的数学基准成绩表现不如城市学生[1]。
悉尼大学科学与数学首任大使亚当·斯宾塞在悉尼晨报撰文指出，家长在儿童早期数学发展中发挥着关键作用[1]。斯宾塞为家长提出了五项实用建议，包括玩骰子游戏、数硬币、进行计数练习、学习地图阅读和强化基础练习等[1]。年5学生的数学基准达成率超过90%，较去年上升了12个百分点[1]，表明家长和学校的干预措施可以显著改善学生数学水平。
More than a third of Year 3 students in New South Wales are failing to meet mathematics benchmarks during a critical stage in their numerical development [1]. The same proportion of students are also underperforming in reading, writing, grammar, and punctuation [1]. The challenge is particularly acute in outer regional areas, where Year 3 students are falling further behind numeracy benchmarks compared to their urban counterparts [1].
In response to these concerning results, Adam Spencer, the University of Sydney's inaugural Ambassador for Science and Mathematics, has offered practical guidance to parents seeking to support their children's early mathematical learning [1]. Spencer, author of Maths 101 (for dumb dads and terrified mums), recommends five actionable strategies for families: incorporating dice games, counting coins, practicing basic arithmetic, learning through maps, and emphasizing fundamental skills [1]. The interventions underscore the pivotal role parents play in shaping children's foundational numeracy during these formative years [1].
Despite current difficulties, there is evidence of progress at higher levels: more than 90 percent of students met Year 5 numeracy benchmarks, representing a 12 percentage point increase from the previous year [1].