An evaluation of the implementation of realistic mathematics education (RME) within primary schools in the north and south of Ireland

Since 1971, the Freudenthal Institute (FI) in the Netherlands has developed a theoretical approach towards the teaching and learning of mathematics known as Realistic Mathematics Education (RME). In practice, the Dutch reform of mathematics education depended largely on the introduction of textbooks, which reflect the principles of RME. Now, more than three-quarters of primary schools in the Netherlands use a mathematics textbook that was inspired to some degree by the reform movement. The FI has also been involved in a number of cross-national collaborations, designing mathematics curriculum materials for use within schools in other cultural settings.

This research project aims to compare and evaluate the impact of implementing Realistic mathematics Education (RME) textbooks in primary schools in the North and South of Ireland.