Maths matters
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Numeracy skills and the ability to think mathematically are fundamental for life, work, active citizenship, digital inclusion and effective lifelong learning for all. The financial decisions we make impact on our day-to-day lives and our long-term futures, but 17 million adults in the UK have difficulty with numbers. Improving numeracy is key to the government’s employment and skills agenda, and underpinned by the refreshed Skills for Life Strategy, is the need to widen participation in numeracy learning.
“Achieving our long-term ambition for numeracy will be challenging. It will require a step change in the number of adults taking courses to improve their numeracy skills and a change in culture and attitudes regarding numeracy.” Skills for Growth – the national skills strategy, BIS (2009)
There is an urgent need to galvanise key stakeholders in the drive to increase opportunities in maths learning, tackle the culture which says “it’s OK to be bad at maths” and improve the experience of numeracy learning. NIACE is carrying out a national review of adult numeracy teaching and learning that will draw on policy papers, research, and current practice. More than ten years on from the Moser report and despite the impressive successes of the Skills for Life strategy, improving the numeracy skills of adults still creates a particular challenge. While things are certainly moving in the right direction, this review will support key players to create the step change called for in Skills for Growth.
“Adult numeracy remains one of the most crucial priorities for the government and, because of how it impacts on individuals, families and communities, the whole of society. This review is essential at a crucial time for the economy and the many challenges that lie ahead.” Lord Moser (2010)
The review is interested in:
- what the evidence tells us about the current situation regarding numeracy learning;
- where the gaps are in current numeracy provision; and
- what the key messages are for numeracy learning.
Papers are welcome from individuals and organisations to reflect on the current state of numeracy and envision a future where adults’ numeracy skills are stronger. We are taking a broad view of what constitutes evidence. It might include research evidence; information about your organisation’s learning provision; or personal / organisational experience or views about wider issues connected with numeracy. We hope this review will act as a catalyst for enthusing and generating interest in this critical area, please send thoughts and papers to numeracyreview@niace.org.uk. The extended deadline is 5pm of Friday, 7 May 2010.
