The provision of mathematics support and the role of the history of mathematics

There is a well-documented crisis in mathematics education both nationally and internationally. Increasing numbers of students are struggling with many of the basics of mathematics when they enter third level. One response has been the widespread establishment of mathematics support services for students who are deemed at risk. These supports are constantly analysed and quantified to establish best practice and to measure the impact they have on students. In this paper we give an overview of these issues. We also discuss how introducing struggling students to topics in the historical development of mathematics can help them deal successfully with many of the issues that they have.