The purpose of this research study was to find out why marginal, secondary math students aren't successful in required math courses. Ten math teachers and 80 high school ninth and tenth grade students were surveyed, three marginal math students were interviewed, and five classrooms were observed in a qualitative study to identify why marginal students fail in secondary math courses. The focus of this study was student perceptions--what studetns had to say about, and the environment in which they are required to learn math. The results from this research suggest four components necessary for secondary marginal students to achieve success in math--middle school to high school partnering, course offerings and tracking, teaching methods, and student involvement.

The author asserts that the privatisation of South Australia's electricity supply has been a disaster for the state, with households and small businesses facing price hikes of around 25%, and the threat of power blackouts. How did this mess come about?