Gene

Quantum mechanics

Context (archaeology)

Transition (genetics)

Linguistics

Mathematics education

Philosophy

Secondary education

Archaeology

Pedagogy

Narrative

Economics

Biochemistry

Computer science

Dropout (neural networks)

Phenomenon

Physics

Psychology

Geography

Political science

Tertiary level

Chemistry

Economic growth

Machine learning

Higher education

Science education

International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education

Tertiary transition in mathematics appears to be an insurmountable struggle for many students, including for high achievers in secondary school. The high dropout rates in many Western Countries represent a big issue from an individual and social point of view. It appears particularly significant to analyse this phenomenon in the context of the degree course in Mathematics, studying students' cognitive and affective reactions to the (often unexpected and severe) difficulties encountered in the tertiary transition. With this aim, we developed a narrative study in a specific context in Italy—that involves excellent students from secondary school—to investigate how successful and dropout students describe their experience in transition. Implications for the educational practice are discussed.

The Mathematical Crisis in Secondary–Tertiary Transition