Ever heard the phrase "I just don't get maths" or maybe "I just don't need it day to day"? If you have, chances are your grandchildren have too. Which is why National Numeracy has launched its major new initiative to tackle the issue of low adult numeracy and promote "can-do" attitudes towards maths.
National Numeracy
The National Numeracy Challenge
Posted on: Wed 26-Mar-14 00:04:32
(11 comments )
Take The Challenge and help pass on a positive attitude towards maths.
In the recent OECD report, England was ranked at 21 out of 24 developed countries for low numeracy and Essential Skills levels amongst young adults (aged 16-24). National Numeracy's opinion poll suggests that millions of people in the UK want to improve their maths skills and many feel they were badly prepared at school for the numeracy they need in everyday life.
So, The Challenge is a call to action to everyone in workplaces, adult education, community organisations, and individuals to improve their numeracy - using methods that suit them, and with National Numeracy's support.
An interactive website designed to help participants assess and improve their everyday maths skills in bite-sized steps, The Challenge is aimed specifically at the 78% of UK adults with an understanding of numeracy below the equivalent of Level 2 (GCSE grades A*-C), the initiative seeks to help one million adults over the next five years to improve their confidence and skills with everyday maths.
National Numeracy's opinion poll suggests that millions of people in the UK want to improve their maths skills and many feel they were badly prepared at school for the numeracy they need in everyday life.
And by numeracy they mean "everyday maths"; the maths that helps people to make decisions in day-to-day adult life and work. Without a reasonable level of numeracy, certain things become tricky - like managing money through to pay-day, planning journeys or understanding interest rates, medical information or promotional offers.
The Challenge also aims to transform negative attitudes towards maths and numeracy and to create a positive “can do” attitude, a key element for improving numeracy skills - and an attitude it's important to pass on to children.
If you'd like to take The Challenge, or share it with anyone please go to www.nnchallenge.org.uk/gnet1. National Numeracy are also running a survey with the aim of gathering data from parents, carers and grandparents about how they feel about maths, and the kind of support they would like to see made available. Do feel free to add your thoughts to the survey - and of course, to the thread.