This document consists of a brief final report and a handbook from a project conducted to develop family numeracy activities and incorporate them into adult basic and literacy education (ABLE) classes in two Pennsylvania counties. The 10 activities, which were designed to help adult learners foster the development of numeracy concepts/skills in…

This document is the teacher's edition of a learning module designed to help nonnative English speakers develop basic workplace mathematics skills. This module was developed by educators from the Emily Griffith Opportunity School. The math curriculum presented in how math might be taught to nonnative English speakers at a manufacturing worksite.…

This study assessed parental attitudes toward early mathematics and examined the ways in which families initiate and support the development of young children's early mathematical concepts. Six families with preschool-aged children (4 girls and 2 boys) participated in this case study involving observation of family interactions, interviews with…

This book explains and exemplifies formative assessment in practice. Drawing on incidents and case studies from primary classrooms, it describes and analyses how teachers use formative assessment to promote learning. It argues the case for formative assessment with reference to sociocultural perspectives on learning and it examines this in the…

Assessing the social and economic costs of poor adult literacy and numeracy skills, and the benefits of investing in such skills, is largely unchartered territory in Australia. This feasibility study explores the frameworks and methodologies available for determining and measuring such benefits and costs across a number of life domains, including…

Mothers' education is frequently found to be positively correlated with child health and nutrition in developing countries, and yet the causal mechanisms are poorly understood. An examination was conducted of the role played by three mechanisms in this process: formal education that directly teaches health knowledge to future mothers; literacy and…

This book explores what makes mathematics possible as well as what makes mathematics difficult. Included is a discussion of the definition of mathematics, mathematics in language, the meaning of numbers, calculating and measuring, notation, numbers in space, and the best ways to learn mathematics. Historical information and practical examples are…

Although numeracy demands in today's workplace are rising steadily, the National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS) suggests that many workers do not possess sufficient higher-level numeracy skills. Analysis of the NALS results by occupation reveals that large percentages of workers in a wide variety of industries perform only at the two lower levels of…

Argues that mathematics educators face a new set of challenges and choices as society becomes more information-based and demands a higher level of mathematical literacy. Compares the mathematical content of eighth-grade lessons across different countries. (DDR)

Examines the struggles of Kyle, a 30-year-old male, to overcome his innumeracy and to master the routine numerical tasks associated with daily life. Describes Kyle's arithmetic and problem-solving skills and the intervention program designed to develop his ability to solve everyday problems. (Contains 12 references.) (MDH)

Explains the work of a primary-research group focusing on the practical aspects of the use of scale in science. Reports on three studies that look at the impact of the representation of scale in different areas related to the Standard Assessment Tasks (SAT). (DDR)

Argues that statistical literacy is a necessary component of a complete college education and important in combating growing innumeracy in American society, and describes a general education course at the University of Louisville (Kentucky) that includes it. Instruction focuses on societal issues, sometimes controversial, for which an…

Describes the Key Skills, which will be established across the revised National Curriculum being introduced by the British government in September 2000. Discusses ways in which the Key Skills--communication, information and communication technology, application of number, problem solving, working with others, and improving own learning and…

Virtually every public issue depends on data, projections, inferences, and systemic thinking. Besides basic mathematics skills, numeracy (quantitative literacy) encompasses estimating tolerances and errors, constructing complex computer simulations, using flowcharts, drawing inferences, and calculating in three dimensions. The narrow…

Analysis of a national Moroccan literacy and numeracy campaign aimed at adult farmers found that despite the farmers' strong motivations to learn, the initiative had little impact due to irrelevant content, inappropriate teaching methods and poor teacher training, failure to take account of students' expectations and needs, and the top-down nature…